The United Kingdom has launched Project Nightfall, a fast-track programme to develop new long-range ballistic missiles for Ukraine, aiming to help Kyiv strike targets deep behind Russian lines.
According to a U.K. defence ministry handout, the ground-launched missiles could carry a 200-kilogram (440 lb) warhead over a range of more than 500 kilometres (310 miles). They are designed to be fired in rapid succession and then quickly relocated, allowing Ukrainian forces to hit high-value targets before Russian retaliation.
Defence Secretary John Healey disclosed details of the programme after a recent visit to Ukraine, during which he came close to a major Russian missile attack. He said the experience highlighted the need for Ukraine to combine strong air defences with the ability to strike back.
“You defend your cities by having layers of defence, and you partly defend by being able to attack,” he said.
During the visit, Russia fired an Oreshnik ballistic missile at western Ukraine, striking Lviv Oblast just 60km from the Polish border. A source said Mr Healey had a “close shave” near Lviv, where his train was forced to make an emergency stop as air raid sirens sounded.
“We were close enough to hear the air raid sirens,” Mr Healey said. “It was a serious moment and a stark reminder of the barrage of drones and missiles hitting Ukrainians in sub-zero conditions.”
Under Project Nightfall, Britain plans to award development contracts to three industry teams. Each will receive funding to produce initial missiles for test launches within a year, with a target production rate of up to ten missiles per month. The maximum unit cost is expected to be around $1.07m, with contracts due to be signed in March 2026.
UK defence officials say the programme is part of a broader effort to increase the cost of Russia’s war by enabling Ukraine to strike military and energy infrastructure, while easing pressure on its air defence systems.
Britain says European security depends on a resilient Ukraine capable of sustaining long-range operations as the conflict continues.
The United States launched a seventh consecutive night of strikes on Iran as Tehran targeted U.S. allies in the Gulf, while tensions remain high in th...
The U.S. military said it completed a sixth consecutive night of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, targeting logistics infrastructure and maritime ca...
From a Hellenistic burial chamber beneath Naples to an ornate ceiling in Oxford and the surviving fragments of a Michelangelo sculpture, 3D scanning i...
The United States launched a seventh consecutive night of strikes on Iran as Tehran targeted U.S. allies in the Gulf, while tensions remain high in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. military said it completed a sixth consecutive night of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, targeting logistics infrastructure and maritime capabilities. Iran responded by launching strikes at U.S. bases in neighbouring countries.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday as Türkiye stepped up efforts to revive stalled peace negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia.
Andy Burnham has been elected leader of Britain's governing Labour Party, clearing the way to become the country's next prime minister on Monday. The 56-year-old pledged to spread power beyond Westminster, revive neglected communities and counter the rise of Reform UK.
The half-time interval during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final is expected to be extended to around 30 minutes to accommodate the tournament’s first-ever major half-time concert.
The U.S. military announced that it has completed a new wave of strikes against Iranian military targets under U.S. President Donald Trump's orders. The operation targeted command centres, air defence systems, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance sites across multiple locations.
Nineteen years ago, at Barcelona's Camp Nou, Lionel Messi posed for a charity photo shoot with a five-month-old baby he had never met. On Sunday, that baby, Lamine Yamal, will face Messi in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final as Spain take on Argentina. A full-circle football story.
The U.S. military said it completed a sixth consecutive night of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, targeting logistics infrastructure and maritime capabilities. Iran responded by launching strikes at U.S. bases in neighbouring countries.
SpaceX's Starship rocket aborted its 13th flight test just seconds before liftoff in Texas on Thursday after some of its 33 engines failed to start. CEO Elon Musk said the company is likely to make another launch attempt early next week.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday as Türkiye stepped up efforts to revive stalled peace negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia.
Andy Burnham has been elected leader of Britain's governing Labour Party, clearing the way to become the country's next prime minister on Monday. The 56-year-old pledged to spread power beyond Westminster, revive neglected communities and counter the rise of Reform UK.
Japan's parliament has approved changes to the Imperial House Law aimed at addressing the shrinking size of the imperial family while preserving the country's centuries-old male-only succession system.
SpaceX's Starship rocket aborted its 13th flight test just seconds before liftoff in Texas on Thursday after some of its 33 engines failed to start. CEO Elon Musk said the company is likely to make another launch attempt early next week.
At least 20 children and one adult have been killed after a school bus carrying pupils on a study trip crashed in eastern Uganda. Dozens of other passengers were injured when the vehicle reportedly lost control and overturned.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment