UK Announces Record Military Aid to Ukraine Including Storm Shadow Missiles and Armored Vehicles.

As part of a trip to Poland this Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the British Prime Minister announces a significant boost to UK military support for Ukraine. This initiative includes additional military funding of £500 million, with the delivery of a wide range of equipment including 60 raiding boats, 1,600 attack and air defense missiles, and Storm Shadow precision missiles. As well as 400 vehicles, 160 Husky protected mobility vehicles, 162 armored vehicles 78 all-terrain vehicles, and 4 million rounds of small arms ammunition.
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Prime Minister announces 160 Husky protected mobility vehicles for Ukraine (Picture source: Wikimédia)

The new £500 million funding package brings total UK military aid to Ukraine for the current financial year to £3 billion. The funds will be used to rapidly deliver ammunition, air defense systems, drones, and urgent engineering support. The drones will be procured in the UK, and the funds will help increase the capacity of the national defense supply chain.

The UK Ministry of Defence has also announced the shipment of the largest single package of equipment from the UK, aimed at repelling the Russian invasion on land, at sea, and in the air. The package includes 60 boats of various types, over 1,600 anti-tank and air defense missiles, as well as Storm Shadow long-range precision missiles. Over 400 vehicles, including 160 Husky protected mobility vehicles, 162 armored vehicles, and 78 all-terrain vehicles, as well as almost 4 million small arms cartridges, will also be supplied.

The Husky Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector (VMMD), also known as the Husky, is a unique, single-occupant vehicle designed primarily for the detection and clearance of landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Featuring a distinctive V-shaped hull, it is specially equipped to withstand explosions and protect the driver, making it invaluable in safeguarding supply routes and troop movements in conflict zones.

The Storm Shadow missile, known in French service as SCALP EG, is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile primarily used for precision stand-off strikes against high-value targets. It is capable of being deployed from various platforms, carrying a 450 kg warhead, and has a range of approximately 250 kilometers, allowing for deep penetration in heavily defended airspace to strike infrastructure, airfields, and other strategic targets with high accuracy.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will meet his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk, to discuss deepening UK-Polish relations. They will also hold talks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Warsaw, focusing on European security and support for Ukraine. The Prime Minister will then travel to Germany for a meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.

The British Prime Minister will also use his first face-to-face meeting with Poland's new Prime Minister Donald Tusk to strengthen UK-Polish ties in several areas. He will propose the deployment of an RAF Typhoon squadron for NATO air policing in Poland next year.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the UK has played a significant role in providing military assistance to the country. Among the most notable equipment supplied, the Storm Shadow cruise missile stands out. This missile, capable of striking precise targets from a considerable distance, was a key element in the arsenal offered. In addition to the Storm Shadow, the UK also sent air defense systems such as the Starstreak anti-aircraft system and the Sky Sabre surface-to-air missile system. Deliveries also include armored vehicles, reconnaissance drones, ammunition, and personal protective equipment. This substantial aid is aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defensive capabilities while affirming the UK's support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Defense News April 2024