The United Kingdom is advancing the development of cost-effective long-range missiles designed for Ukraine, which will not rely on American components and are expected to be deployed within a year.
According to representatives from the UK Ministry of Defence, three missile systems produced by MBDA, MGI Engineering, and Rotron Aerospace will undergo testing in both the UK and Ukraine in the coming months.
The initiative, named Project Brakestop, was expedited to bolster support for Ukraine, having been launched in late 2024.
While the new missiles are anticipated to be less accurate and powerful than the existing Storm Shadow cruise missiles from MBDA, their cost is projected to be approximately half that of their predecessors.
Additionally, these missiles will be free of any American components and data, ensuring operational independence—a key requirement expressed by the UK government due to concerns over excessive reliance on the US defense industry.
The new British systems will feature a warhead weighing at least 225 kilograms and will have a range exceeding 500 kilometers.
The estimated cost for each missile unit, excluding the warhead, is around £400,000 (approximately $529,320).
Sources indicate that all three participating companies have committed to producing at least 40 units per month within three to four months of receiving an order.
They also plan to sell their products directly to Ukraine or to other European nations should they not secure a contract.
The UK is developing new long-range missiles for Ukraine, focusing on cost-effectiveness and operational independence from US components. The project aims for deployment within a year, with production capabilities set to meet demand swiftly.