Ukraine to receive more multiple launch rocket systems from UK

Europe, News August 12, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

The United Kingdom is set to send more M31A1 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) and precision-guided missiles to Ukraine in the upcoming military aid package.

According to the British Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace “This latest tranche of military support will enable the armed forces of Ukraine to continue to defend against Russian aggression and the indiscriminate use of long-range artillery.”

Ukraine had been asking for long-range precision missiles and MLRS systems for a long time to target the Russian tanks and military advancements from a distance.

UK is providing the M31A1 missile system to the Ukrainian military that would allow them to target Russia’s heavy artillery from as far as 80 kilometers away. The UK has already trained the Ukrainian troops on how to use and operate the system. The UK has also vowed to train more than 10,000 Ukrainian infantry soldiers for battlefield skills.

“Our continued support sends a very clear message, Britain and the international community remain opposed to this illegal war and will stand shoulder-to-shoulder, providing defensive military aid to Ukraine to help them defend against Putin’s invasion.” Ben Wallace added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had been requesting its allies to immediately provide the MLRS. In response to his request, the U.S. has maintained a steady supply of High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to Ukraine through its military aid packages.

Although the range of both HIMARS and M31A3 missile systems is not as much as Ukraine has been requesting, the two MLRS would provide the ability to the Ukrainian military to hit Russian targets from far away.

^{MLRS firing on the ranges at Otterburn. Gunners from Army Reserve unit 101 (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery and 1 Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (1 RHA) exercising in Otterburn Ranges in the North of England in March 2015. (Image Credit: Cpl Jamie Peters RLC/Ministry of Defense UK)}

UK and allies expand funds for Ukraine

The British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace met with his counterparts from Ukraine and Denmark on August 11, 2022, at the Copenhagen Conference. The UK has been rallying with its allies to expand the military fund for Ukraine. UK had established the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) which focused on providing military training to Ukrainian forces against Russia. Britain has pledged to add $300 million of its recently announced $1.2 billion fund into the IFU.

During his meeting with his Danish counterpart Morten Bodskov in Copenhagen, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said that “The UK and partner nations have agreed to provide long-term military funding, ensuring a steady flow of finance to provide vital military equipment, essential maintenance of existing kit and maximising our UK-led international training programme for Ukraine’s Armed Forces.” Apart from Denmark, other allies have also pledged to join the IFU fund and soldiers’ training program. Canada, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany, and Latvia are also on board to provide financial assistance to Ukraine as well as substantial training to Ukrainian soldiers.