Storm Shadow missiles used by the Royal Air Force may be one of the options to improve Kiev's arsenal. insists that missiles and rockets capable of hitting at a distance of 200 miles be sent to Ukraine, which would be the longest-range weapon to hit the battlefield.
This happened during the visit of Foreign Secretary James Cleverley to the Atlantic . Council in Washington, where he promised that Ukraine would «win» the war with Russia.
According to a notice on the website of the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) of the UK government, industry suppliers have been invited to submit expressions of interest in the supply of equipment for missiles or missiles with a range of up to 300 km for ground launch. sea or air. The appeal, now closed, asks for answers regarding a complex weapons system within three days.
Speaking to an international think tank in Washington, Mr. Cleverley said: “There is a strong argument that we should not leave our military cabinets empty. My answer is, you know, if we're saving things for a rainy day, that's a rainy day.»
He added that Ukraine needs to «win fast» and emphasized that «the best way to do this is to give them the tools they need to get the job done and give them those tools here and now.»
Mr Cleverly said the UK understands the importance of air defense to Ukraine and added: “The bottom line is that we have to evolve and adapt our support in the same way that Ukrainians evolve and adapt their tactics to defend themselves against a Russian invasion.”&# 34;
James Cleverly spoke to the Atlantic Council at Washington Credit : Getty
Earlier, Rishi Sunak had made it clear that he wanted the UK to be the first country to send longer-range missiles to Ukraine. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in February, he said: «Together we must help Ukraine protect its cities from Russian bombs and Iranian drones, so the UK will be the first country to give Ukraine more time.» ranged weapon."
Mr. Sunak did not elaborate on what the weapons would be; however, it is believed that the RAF's Storm Shadow long-range cruise missile could have the desired effect of disrupting Russian supply chains. The weapon costs around £2.2 million and can be launched from a fighter jet against targets up to 350 miles away, although it can be modified to have a significantly shorter range.
A defense source told the Telegraph that Ukraine requested long range missiles and as a result the UK was looking for what could be done; however, they warned that the fund is «slow» and it could take «months» before opportunities become available.
They added that the UK «often led the charge» in supporting Ukraine, citing the thousands of next-generation light anti-tank weapons (N-law) and 14 Challenger 2 tanks sent to Ukraine, as well as the training of Ukrainian pilots in the Royal Air Force. fighters.
N-LAW anti-tank missile launcher
In January, Ukraine said it expected the West to send long-range missiles capable of striking nearly 200 miles behind Russia's lines. They will be used to strike at Russia's fragile supply chains, hitting munitions depots, warehouses and other infrastructure critical to supporting its invasion.
With Ukraine's spring counter-offensive approaching, it is clear that the IFU Executive Board, which includes the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden, will consider what weapons will be sent. However, a defense source suggested that IFU is not the right system to ship a weapon like the Storm Shadow.
“If you're looking to buy something new or controversial, IFU isn't the best option. a reasonable path for this,” the source said.
Some fear the risk of escalation if Storm Shadow is delivered to Ukraine, including Joe Biden, who has resisted Ukraine’s requests for longer-range munitions, limiting weapons to those with a range of around 50 miles.
A Defense Department spokesman said: «Any decision to purchase specific items will be made by the IFU Executive Board, the international board that oversees the management of the fund.»
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