Britain Drops GMLRS Firings During Exercises

2 January, 2024 The M270 rocket launcher uses the GMLRS rocket. Photo credits: i.ytimg.com The British Army reduced the number of GMLRS rockets required for HIMARS and ?270 MLRS during exercises.

Minister for Armed Forces James Heappey said the Army had used just 37 Javelin anti-tank missiles last year, down 40% by 2022. The figures are also 77% less than the 158 Javelin missiles fired by the British Army in 2021 before Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In another response to Parliament, Heappey said the number of GMLRS released in military exercises had fallen from 56 in 2022 to 19 in 2023.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine full-scale in February 2022, Britain has sent more than four billion pounds (£5 billion) in military aid to Ukraine to help counter Moscow's aggression.

Minister for Armed Forces of Great James Heappey. Photo from the official's page

Heappey said his country has supplied more than 10,000 anti-tank weapons to Kyiv, including Javelin, Brimstone and NLAW missiles. Britain also provided at least three rocket launchers and promised to send M31A1 precision rockets.

Reduction

According to the Army Technology report, the amount of ammunition sent to Ukraine could be the main factor that explains why the British Army reduced its use in 2023.

Other possible factors include the variable pace of the annual exercise and the potentially changing live fire requirements imposed by the military each year.

GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) rocket from Lockheed Martin for the M142 HIMARS and M270 systems.

2021. USA. Photo by T.

A. O'Brien

Last year, James Heappey stated that sending weapons to Ukraine would deplete the country's reserves and reduce the combat capability of the British army. The statement was immediately rejected by top British officials.

In particular, the Chief of the General Staff, Sir Patrick Sanders, noted that Russia's defeat would make Britain and other countries in the region safer.

Operator of the Javelin ATGM of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Photo credits: Ukrainian Armed Forces

Recall that the new program of modernization of British M270 multiple rocket launchers will allow the use of these systems by 2050.