The United Kingdom announced the supply of air defense systems to Ukraine
17 August, 2023 Starstreak 2 man-portable anti-aircraft missile system in position. Photo by British Army The Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom announced the transfer of air defense systems to Ukraine.
Sky News reported on this. The Ministry of Defense signed three contracts to supply Ukraine with air defense equipment worth £115 million. The Ministry signed the largest £56 million contract with the Norwegian Kongsberg.
The company is to provide Ukraine with anti-drone systems that can search for, detect, disrupt, and destroy drones.
An element of the CORTEX Typhon system. Photo credits: Krister Sorbo/Forsvarets forum
In addition, the statement refers to the previously announced assistance package with CORTEX Typhon Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems manufactured by Norwegian Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace. The British side did not offer more detailed information on the other two contracts.
They only noted that the funding comes from the International Fund for Ukraine. In addition to foreign products, the United Kingdom has its own capabilities in the production of air defense systems and missiles for them. As previously reported, Ukraine has been using British air-to-air missile ground launchers mounted on the SupaCat chassis.
AIM-132 ASRAAM missiles on SupaCat chassis.
Photo credits: The Times
The systems are armed with ASRAAM short-range air-to-air guided missiles. It is equipped with an infrared homing head based on a charge-coupled device, which forms an infrared image of the target. The EO Chess Dynamics Hawkeye electro-optical system is used to locate and guide the launchers.
Militarnyi previously reported that the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom plans to increase spending to purchase weapons to build up stockpiles. The country's armed forces are targeting a global response force for operational deployment in Europe. The United Kingdom is increasing defense spending by GBP2.5 billion to build up the stockpile.
The Ministry of Defense has already concluded a contract to supply 155-mm artillery ammunition, a large amount of which was transferred to Ukraine.
A GBP280 million order for the production of ammunition was sent to BAE Systems.
Thales UK is also replenishing depleted stocks of NLAWs.