Britain has sent a clear message to Vladimir Putin after successfully testing new long-range strike weapons that could be supplied to Ukraine. The systems were fired at a range in the Hebrides and could enable Kyiv to strike Moscow, which faced a massive Ukrainian drone attack earlier this week.
Weapon Specifications and Capabilities
The new weapons carry warheads weighing at least 225 kilograms (496 pounds) and can hit targets more than 500 kilometres (310 miles) away. Further trials are planned in the UK over the coming months. The UK aims to deliver these systems to Ukraine's armed forces as part of efforts to produce munitions more quickly and at lower cost.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) challenged UK firms to develop long-range strike weapons with a speed exceeding 600 kilometres per hour (372 miles per hour), costing approximately £400,000 per unit, and with a production capacity of at least 20 units per month.
Industry Bids and Development
Twenty-seven bids were submitted by industry players, with "Dragon's Den" style pitches held in February. Six companies were awarded contracts worth around £5 million each to design weapons for testing within just seven months. By December, only three suppliers remained: MBDA UK (maker of Storm Shadow missiles), MGI Engineering (a UK SME with Formula 1 technology background), and Rotron Aerospace (another UK SME with MoD experience).
The Hebrides launches saw all systems fire despite minor technical hiccups, which were expected under the "fail fast" approach. Firms will now address these issues before further trials.
Project Brakestop Phase Two
The second phase of "Project Brakestop" is underway, with companies receiving follow-on contracts worth around £15 million to develop 15 improved effectors each, along with launchers and support vehicles. While no completion timeframe has been set, officials hope the systems will be ready for delivery to Kyiv within a year, following further tests overseas, including in Ukraine.
Sovereign Capability and Minister's Statement
One specification required the systems to be free from International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) – US rules governing defence exports – to boost sovereign capabilities. Armed Forces Minister Louise Sandher-Jones emphasised the importance of interoperating with allies while maintaining sovereign capability. She stated that the weapons would complement others like the Franco-British Storm Shadow missiles, which allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russia but at a higher cost.
Sandher-Jones added that the UK stands "shoulder-to-shoulder" with Ukraine and that Project Brakestop demonstrates Britain's industrial strength, innovation, and determination to meet modern warfare challenges and support allies.
Ukraine's Recent Performance
Western officials note that Kyiv's battlefield performance has improved significantly in recent months, with Ukrainian drones pinning down Russian troops on the front line and disrupting oil production deep inside Russia. G7 leaders recently promised Ukraine more air defence capabilities without specifying weapon types.
