UK developing alternative to Storm Shadow for Ukraine

The United Kingdom is developing lower-cost, domestically produced long-range missiles for Ukraine that will not rely on American components.

According to Report, citing RBC-Ukraine and Bloomberg, three British-made systems developed by MBDA, MGI Engineering, and Rotron Aerospace are expected to undergo testing in the UK and Ukraine in the coming months.

The weapons could be delivered to the Ukrainian military for frontline use within a year.

The new missiles are expected to be less accurate and less powerful than MBDA's Storm Shadow cruise missiles, but their cost will be approximately half that of the existing system.

In addition, the missiles will reportedly contain no American-made components and will not rely on US data, ensuring greater operational independence. This was a key requirement of the British government, which has expressed concerns about excessive dependence on the US defense industry.

The new British systems are expected to carry warheads weighing at least 225 kilograms and be capable of striking targets at ranges exceeding 500 kilometers.

The cost of each missile, excluding the warhead, is estimated at around £400,000 (approximately $529,320).

According to Bloomberg's sources, all three companies participating in the competition have stated that they would be able to produce at least 40 units per month within three to four months of receiving an order.

If they do not secure a government contract, the companies plan to sell their products directly to Ukraine or to other European countries.