UK sends WW3 warning to Putin with test of new long range missiles it will give Ukraine

Britain has sent a message to Vladimir Putin after testing new long-range strike weapons that could be sent to Ukraine. The new systems, which were fired at a range in the Hebrides, could allow Kyiv to strike Moscow which came under a huge Ukrainian drone attack earlier this week. The new weapons, which have warheads of at least 225 kilograms (496Ibs), are capable of hitting targets more than 500 kilometres (310 miles) away.

Further trials of the weapons are to take part in the UK over the coming months. The UK wants to deliver the systems to Ukraine’s armed forces as part of efforts to produce munitions quicker and cheaper. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) challenged UK firms to develop long-range strike weapons with a speed of more than 600km per hour (372mph), that cost about £400,000 per unit and be able to produce at least 20 of these a month.

Some 27 bids from industry were made with “Dragon’s Den” style pitches held last February before six companies were awarded contracts worth around £5million each to design the weapons for testing in just seven months.

By last December, only three suppliers remained – MBDA UK, which makes Storm Shadow missiles; MGI Engineering, a UK SME with a background in Formula 1 technology; and Rotron Aerospace, another UK SME with a history of working with the MoD.

It is understood that the Hebrides launches saw all systems fire despite some minor technical hiccups, which were to be expected as part of the “fail fast” approach to the project and which firms will now work to iron out before further trials.

The second phase of so-called “Project Brakestop” is now underway, with companies awarded follow-on contracts worth around £15million to further develop 15 improved effectors each, alongside launchers and support vehicles.

Although no timeframe has been set for completion, officials hope the systems will be ready to deliver for Kyiv within a year following further tests overseas, including in Ukraine, over the coming months.

One of the specifications for the project was that the systems be free from International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) – the US rules governing the export of defence and military resources as part of an effort to boost sovereign capabilities.

Asked how important it was that the UK was not relying on America for this development, Armed Forces Minister Louise Sandher-Jones told reporters: “That’s always the broad question, isn’t it?

“About how we interoperate with our allies, but also what we have as a sovereign capability.

“There’s two parts of this we’re looking to test: one is producing a capability that can deliver an operational effect, that’s always going to be number one, but number two is when we start to transition towards talking about resilience as a nation, able to test our industry, and what we can produce here in the UK.”

She said the weapons would “complement” others, like Franco-British Storm Shadow missiles, which allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russia but carry a higher cost.

The minister added the UK stands “shoulder-to-shoulder” with Ukraine and that the Project Brakestop is “a clear demonstration that Britain has the industrial strength, innovation and determination to meet the challenges of modern warfare and support our allies”.

Western officials say Kyiv’s battlefield performance has improved significantly in recent months, with Ukrainian drones pinning down Russian troops on the front line and disrupting oil production deep inside Russia.

G7 leaders promised Ukraine more air defence capabilities earlier this week, without specifying what type of weapons.