Britain Developing Cheap Long-Range Weapons for Deployment in Ukraine
Britain is developing cheaper long-range weapons for Ukraine that could strike targets over 500 kilometers away and cost about half as much as Storm Shadow missiles.
Britain is working on the development of inexpensive long-range weapons that are expected to be deployed in Ukraine in the future, Bloomberg reports, citing representatives of the British Ministry of Defense.
According to the publication, the new system should not depend on the United States for components or data. In the coming months, three systems developed by MBDA, MGI Engineering and Rotron Aerospace are planned to be tested in Britain and Ukraine. They are intended to be delivered to the front within a year. The Brakestop project, launched in late 2024, was accelerated to support Kiev.
British officials expect the new weapon to be less accurate than Storm Shadow missiles, but at the same time about half the cost of the Anglo-French counterpart.
The article notes that such systems are not designed to destroy bunkers. The warhead is expected to weigh at least 225 kilograms, while the weapon’s target range should exceed 500 kilometers. The cost of one unit, excluding the warhead, is estimated at more than $529,000.
The developers say that after receiving an order, they will be able to produce at least 40 units a month within three to four months. If they do not win the contract, they intend to seek opportunities to sell the systems directly to Ukraine or other European countries.