The United Kingdom is developing a ballistic missile that it plans to transfer to Ukraine

The United Kingdom has begun developing its first ballistic missile in over half a century, which is planned to be transferred to Ukraine in 2027. The project should not only strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities, but also reduce Europe’s dependence on American weapons.

This is reported by Bloomberg.

According to the publication, the UK Ministry of Defense has already signed contracts with several defense companies as part of the Nightfall program. The department has even revised the initial technical requirements for the missile to speed up development.

Participating companies are expected to successfully test prototypes before receiving contracts for mass production. Preliminary agreements were scheduled to be signed by March, but the process has been delayed by about two months.

According to the publication’s sources, the first test launches are expected to take place within the next 12 months, and missile deliveries to Ukraine could begin in late 2027. For comparison, the development of modern ballistic missiles usually takes more than ten years.

The project has a dual purpose: to provide Ukraine with new long-range weapons to counter Russian aggression and at the same time strengthen Europe’s own defense potential amid growing doubts about long-term US support.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during a visit to Kyiv, assured President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that London will continue to support Ukraine.

“The British people support you with all their might. I will now leave the stage soon, but this case, your fight and the Ukrainian people will always be at the center of my attention, because you are fighting for all of us,” Starmer said.

At the same time, his successor, Andy Burnham, who is due to head the government in the near future, also announced his intention to continue supporting Ukraine.

Initially, the new missile was to have a range of over 600 kilometers, a warhead weighing 300 kilograms, and a cost of less than 500,000 pounds sterling per unit. However, after consultations with manufacturers, the requirements were changed: the range was reduced to 500 kilometers, the weight of the warhead to 200 kilograms, and the maximum cost was increased to 800,000 pounds.

The missile must also be launched from various types of mobile launchers, be resistant to electronic warfare, and be suitable for mass production of at least ten complexes per month with minimal export restrictions.

The last large-scale British project to create a ballistic missile was implemented back in the 1970s, when the United Kingdom modernized the American Polaris missile, creating the Chevaline system, which entered service in the 1980s.

The British Ministry of Defense emphasized that the experience of the war in Ukraine is being taken into account when implementing the program.

“The UK is applying lessons from Ukraine to more rapidly develop military capabilities, using rapid prototyping, innovation and close collaboration with British industry,” the department said.

In addition to the Nightfall program, London is also working on creating inexpensive long-range cruise missiles for Ukraine as part of the Breakstop project, testing of which is already underway.

It was previously reported that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer traveled to Kyiv on July 16 , where he plans to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and confirm continued support for Ukraine.

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