- Ben Wallace announced the UK Government is exploring donating Starstreak anti-air missiles to Ukraine
- Defence Secretary said UK is looking at move to bolster Ukrainian defences against Russian missile strikes
- Mr Wallace revealed Britain has now donated 3,615 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine - with more on the way
- Defence Secretary also said UK assessment is Russian forces have only achieved one key invasion objective
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace today announced the UK is planning to send Ukraine lethal anti-air missiles to combat Russia's 'indiscriminate and murderous' bombing.
Mr Wallace told the House of Commons the Government is 'exploring' donating UK-made Starstreak high-velocity, man-portable weapons.
He said Ukraine's anti-air capability 'needs strengthening' because Russian forces are 'changing their tactics' to focus more on shelling and air strikes.
The Cabinet minister revealed Britain has now given Ukraine 3,615 light anti-tank weapons as well as other small arms and ammunition.
The Defence Secretary also said Russia has only achieved one of its major objectives since it began its invasion almost two weeks ago.
Video shows a Ukrainian fighter firing a British-made NLAW missilae at a Russian armoured vehicle in Ukraine
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told the House of Commons this afternoon that the Government is 'exploring' donating UK-made Starstreak high-velocity, man-portable missiles to Ukraine. The missile system is pictured above
Starstreak surface-to-air missiles are designed to defend against conventional air threats like fixed wing fighter planes and helicopters
The weapon can be launched from lightweight land, sea or air platforms and can be unleashed as soon as a target is detected - there is no wait for 'lock on'
Britain has been supplying Ukraine with light anti-tank weapons known as NLAWs. The UK has now donated 3,615 of the weapons. A Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces member is pictured today holding an NLAW in the outskirts of Kyiv
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been leaning on the UK as well as other Western allies for military support.
He is said to have presented Boris Johnson with a 'shopping list' of arms requests, with Britain thought to be sending anti-tank missile shipments almost daily.
Ukraine has been pushing for the West to impose a no-fly zone but the UK and others have ruled out the move on the grounds it could spark a full-blown war between Russia and NATO.
Mr Wallace announced this afternoon that Britain is looking to bolster Ukraine's air defences.
'As the conflict intensifies, the Russians are changing their tactics and so the Ukrainians need to too,' he told the Commons.
'We can all see the horrific devastation inflicted on civilian areas by Russian artillery and air strikes - indiscriminate and murderous.
'It is vital therefore that Ukraine maintains its ability to fly and to suppress Russian air attack.
'To date the international community has donated over 900 man-portable air defence missiles and thousands of anti-tank guided weapons of varying types as well as various small arms.
'But the capability needs strengthening so in response to Ukrainian requests the Government has taken the decision to explore the donation of Starstreak high-velocity, man portable anti-air missiles.
'We believe that this system will remain within the definition of defensive weapons but will allow the Ukrainian force to better defend their skies.
'We shall also be increasing the supply of rations, medical equipment and other non-lethal military aid.'
Starstreak surface to air missiles can be used against fixed wing fighter aircraft and helicopters.
They are similar to US-made Stinger missiles which are already being used by Ukrainian forces.
Mr Wallace stressed the UK is only providing Ukraine with 'defensive systems'.
The Government had initially supplied Ukraine with 2,000 NLAWs but that number has continued to grow. An NLAW anti-tank missile is pictured being fired during a training exercise involving UK forces
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace today announced the UK is planning to send Ukraine lethal anti-air missiles to combat Russia's 'indiscriminate and murderous' bombing
Mr Wallace said Ukraine's anti-air capability 'needs strengthening' because Vladimir Putin's forces are 'changing their tactics' to focus more on shelling and air strikes
A view shows buildings damaged by recent shelling during Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Kharkiv, Ukraine, March 8
The Government pledged in January to send military aid to Ukraine, including weapons systems and items like body armour and ration packs.
'The initial supply was to be 2,000 new light anti-tank weapons (NLAWs), small arms and ammunition,' Mr Wallace said.
'In response to further acts of aggression by Russia we have now increased that supply. I can update the House that as of today we have delivered 3,615 NLAWs and continue to deliver more.
'We will shortly be starting the delivery of small consignment anti-tank Javelin missiles as well.'
Mr Wallace also told MPs that it is the UK's assessment that Russia has failed to achieve the overwhelming majority of its invasion objectives.
'Of the initial Russian objectives, I can announce to the House that it is our assessment that they have been successful in achieving only one,' he said.
'While Russian forces are in control of Kherson, Melitopol and Berdyans'k in southern Ukraine, they currently encircle the cities of Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv and Mariupol but are not in control of them.
'In addition, their first day objectives of targeting Ukrainian air defence has failed, preventing total air dominance.'
Snippets from DailyMail:
Ukrainians are already using anti-aircraft and anti-armor weapons being provided by the U.S. and other nations ' with great effect' that 'slowed the Russian advance in the north.'
Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu (Calif.) tweeted: 'The U.S. has provided numerous weapons to Ukraine: Javelins, Stingers M500 shotguns, MK 19 grenade launchers, M141 rocket launchers, Helicopters."
Congress has also reached a deal to send $13.6 billion to Ukraine.
The U.S. is sending patriot missiles to Poland to ramp up their protection against possible attack, it was confirmed on Tuesday.
The U.S. is now sending two Patriot missile batteries to Poland as a 'defensive deployment,' a spokesman for U.S. European Command (EUCOM) said on Tuesday night.
Patriots are air defense missile systems designed to counter and destroy incoming short-range ballistic missiles, advanced aircraft and cruise missiles.
Capt. Adam Miller, spokesman for EUCOM said in a statement: 'At the direction of the Secretary of Defense and at the invitation of our Polish allies, General Wolters, Commander, of US European Command has directed US Army Europe and Africa to reposition two Patriot Batteries to Poland.
'This is a prudent force protection measure that underpins our commitment to Article Five and will in no way support any offensive operations.
'Every step we take is intended to deter aggression and reassure our allies.'
Article Five is the section of the NATO agreement which states that if one NATO member is attacked, all must come to their aid.
A Patriot anti-missile defense launcher is seen in Poland on Tuesday. The United States said Tuesday night they were sending two more to Poland, to help protect their fellow NATO-member
An Italian military plane is seen landing beside a Patriot missile launcher at the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division airfield near Rzeszow, Poland, on Tuesday.
Meanwhile the US and allies continue to deliver military aid to Ukraine. It is arriving on flights to neighboring countries with as many as 17 planes a day unloading weapons and other equipment at one undisclosed location.
This includes providing 17,000 anti-tank missiles and an additional 2,000 anti-aircraft missiles – at a time when video on the ground has showed Russian trucks and armored vehicles stopped in their tracks, while Ukrainian forces report downing helicopters and other aircraft.
Ukrainian solders from the 81st Separate Airmobile Brigade test fire anti-tank JAVELIN missiles recently provided by the US
A Ukrainian serviceman fires an NLAW anti-tank weapon during an exercise in the Joint Forces Operation, in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, Tuesday, Feb. 15
Kyiv claimed on Tuesday that 12,000 Russian troops have now died fighting in Ukraine, while 300 tanks have been destroyed along with more than 1,000 armored vehicles, 48 planes, 80 helicopters and three boats.
As Russian armour inches closer to Kyiv, Ukrainian soldiers and members of the territorial defence forces announced today that invaders who reach the capital 'are going to burn' as they got to grips with new weapons.
Video emerged of the city's defenders training with a host of anti-tank weapons as they prepare to repel the advancing Russian tanks.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace today confirmed that the British Army has sent 3,615 NLAW anti-tank weapons to Ukraine - up from the previously-announced figure of 2,000 - and 'small consignments' of the anti-aircraft Javelin missile system.
Wallace told the Commons earlier today that the Ministry of Defence was also looking at whether they could supply more weapons in the coming days as Putin's bombardment intensifies.
'We can all see the horrific devastation inflicted on civilian areas by Russian artillery and air strikes, indiscriminate and murderous,' he said.
'It is vital, therefore, that Ukraine maintains its ability to fly and to suppress Russian air attack.'
Members of the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces examine new armament, including NLAW anti-tank systems and other portable anti-tank grenade launchers, in Kyiv on March 9, 2022
As Russian armour inches closer to Kyiv, Ukrainian soldiers and members of the territorial defence forces announced today that invaders who reach the capital 'are going to burn' as they got to grips with new weapons
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace today confirmed that the British Army has sent 3,615 NLAW anti-tank weapons to Ukraine - up from the previously-announced figure of 2,000 - and 'small consignments' of the anti-aircraft Javelin missile system
No comments:
Post a Comment