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The UK conducted test firings of new missiles in the Hebrides and awarded follow-on contracts to three firms under Project Brakestop. Officials aim to deliver the systems to Ukraine within a year.
The IndependentBritain has tested new long-range strike weapons at a range in the Hebrides. The systems are capable of hitting targets at least 500 km away and carrying a 225 kg warhead. The UK government hopes for delivery of the new weapons to Ukraine within months.
The Ministry of Defence challenged firms to develop weapons exceeding 600 km per hour, costing around £400,000 per unit, and producing at least 20 a month within months of an order. Twenty-seven industry bids were received. Dragon's Den-style pitches were held last February.
Six companies were awarded contracts worth around £5 million each to design and test the weapons in seven months. By last December, only three suppliers remained: MBDA UK, MGI Engineering, and Rotron Aerospace. The Hebrides launches saw all systems fire despite some minor technical hiccups.
The second phase of Project Brakestop is now underway. Companies were awarded follow-on contracts worth around £15 million to further develop 15 improved effectors each, alongside launchers and support vehicles. 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. The new systems are intended to produce munitions more quickly and affordably than existing systems like Storm Shadow missiles. Armed Forces Minister Louise Sandher-Jones stated: “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. ” 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. MGI Engineering is a UK SME with a background in Formula 1 technology.
Rotron Aerospace is a UK SME with a history of working with the MoD. MBDA UK makes Storm Shadow missiles. Louise Sandher-Jones stated: “The UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine, and we will continue to provide the support it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression.
Project Brakestop shows what happens when we combine that commitment with the talent and ingenuity of British industry. In less than a year, UK companies have taken an ambitious concept from the drawing board to flight testing, delivering a new generation of capability at remarkable speed.
” Western officials say Kyiv’s battlefield performance has improved 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.
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