• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
UK Considering Sending High-Velocity Starstreak Missiles To Ukraine

Home> News

Published 20:14 9 Mar 2022 GMT

UK Considering Sending High-Velocity Starstreak Missiles To Ukraine

"As the conflict intensifies, the Russians are changing their tactics, so the Ukrainians need to, too."

Daisy Phillipson

Daisy Phillipson

The UK is considering sending Starstreak missiles – dubbed the ‘fastest missile in its class’ – to Ukraine in a bid to help in their defence against Russian forces. 

Amid calls from Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for further support from European countries, the UK’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace addressed the House of Commons in a statement today (9 March). 

As well as updating MPs on the military aid sent to Ukraine, Wallace revealed the government’s plans to potentially provide a number of the high-velocity missiles in order to strengthen the country’s position. 

Advert

Starstreak missiles are the fastest of their kind.
YouTube/Thales

“As the conflict intensifies, the Russians are changing their tactics, so the Ukrainians need to, too,” said Wallace. 

He continued: “To date, the international community has donated more than 900 man-portable air defence missiles and thousands of anti-tank guided weapons of varying types, as well as various small arms. 

“However, the capability needs strengthening, so in response to Ukrainian requests the Government have 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 forces to better defend their skies.”

Advert

Starstreak is a short range man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS) manufactured by Thales Air Defence, formerly Shorts Missile Systems, in Belfast. 

The lightweight missiles accelerate to more than Mach 4, travelling three times faster than the speed of sound, making them the fastest short-range surface-to-air missiles.

According to the manufacturer’s website, the projectiles are ‘designed to provide close air defence against conventional air threats such as fixed wing fighters and late unmasking helicopter targets’.

Advert

Since first being used by the British Army in 1997, Thales has introduced improvements to Starstreak to provide increased range beyond 7km and improved guidance precision against small targets.

In addition to providing missiles and weapons, Wallace said the UK will also increase supplies of rations, medical equipment, and other non-lethal military aid to Ukraine. 

He added: “Today the estimated number of Ukrainian civilians killed or injured stands at more than 1,000, but the true figure is expected to be much higher, and I am afraid that worse is likely to come. 

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
Creative Commons

“It is for that reason that the UK will increase its funding for Ukraine to £220 million, which includes £120 million of humanitarian aid. 

Advert

“That will make the United Kingdom the single biggest bilateral humanitarian donor to Ukraine. 

“We are also supporting humanitarian work with the Polish and Romanian Governments on the borders.”

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information.

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Thales

Topics: Ukraine, Russia, World News, UK News

Daisy Phillipson
Daisy Phillipson

Daisy graduated from Kingston University with a degree in Magazine Journalism, writing a thesis on the move from print to digital publishing. Continuing this theme, she has written for a range of online publications including Digital Spy and Little White Lies, with a particular passion for TV and film. Contact her on [email protected]

X

@DaisyWebb77

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

24 mins ago
12 hours ago
13 hours ago
14 hours ago
  • 24 mins ago

    Physio speaks out about working with Diogo Jota in final hours before tragic death aged 28

    The Liverpool FC star had recently undergone surgery

    News
  • 12 hours ago

    Elon Musk urges release of Epstein files weeks after accusing Trump of being involved in fiery X rant

    Musk made a bombshell claim about his former 'first buddy'

    News
  • 13 hours ago

    Arne Slot releases emotional statement after Diogo Jota tragically dies aged 28

    The Liverpool forward and his brother died this morning

    News
  • 14 hours ago

    Mum says picture of her son at nursery saved his life after camera flash revealed rare disease

    Laura Davies, from Wales, says she would have 'never known' without the photo

    News
  • Tourist unknowingly films her final moments before falling to death in underpass on night out with friends
  • Abuser in 'largest UK catfish case' jailed for life after 12-year-old girl commits suicide
  • Russia Accuses UK Of Escalating Ukraine War And Vows To Target British Weapons
  • People warned about having sex as UK prepares for first mpox cases