UK Develops Low-Cost Long-Range Missiles: Tests with Ukraine, Deliveries in a Year

The UK is nearing testing of relatively low-cost long-range missiles, which it plans to test in cooperation with Ukraine and provide to the Defense Forces. The development, which began in late 2024, has been accelerated. Bloomberg reports this, citing defense officials.

Three British systems from MBDA, MGI Engineering, and Rotron Aerospace will undergo testing in the UK and Ukraine. The UK plans to begin supplying them within a year. These missiles will be less accurate and destructive than Storm Shadow/SCALP but will cost about half as much (around 400,000 pounds sterling without a warhead, compared to Storm Shadow's 1 million dollar cost). They will not contain any American components, ensuring the UK's independence in decisions regarding their use.

The new missiles will be ground-launched, have a range of over 500 km, and carry a 225-kilogram warhead. While they won't be powerful enough to penetrate concrete bunkers, their destructive power will still be significant. The three manufacturers have pledged to produce at least 40 missiles per month.