The UK has sent a batch of Brimstone-2 precision-guided missiles to Ukraine, the British Ministry of Defense announced on Twitter.
As part of its aid package, the UK has provided Brimstone 2 missiles, a precision-guided missile, to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This aid has played a crucial role in stalling Russian advances, the tweet read.
🎬 As part of its aid package, the UK has provided Brimstone 2 missiles, a precision-guided missile, to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
This aid has played a crucial role in stalling Russian advances.
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦pic.twitter.com/SpVnWqeiVm
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) December 17, 2022
The tweet was accompanied by a video showing the transportation of the missiles. The ministry did not specify how many missiles were delivered.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuiJ0UKweiE&t=38s
Earlier, the UK said it would shortly provide Ukraine with some 1,000 additional surface-to-air missiles, adding that the delivery will include missiles and launchers capable of destroying air targets, such as drones and cruise missiles.
Brimstone-2 Missiles
The laser-guided Brimstone 2 missile, with a range of 7.5 miles or 12 km, will be a significant boost to Kyiv. Even though the Brimstone missile is often fired from the air, Kyiv often uses modified trucks as mobile launchers to hit Russian military positions.
Brimstone can strike targets by tracking a laser fired by infantry, aircraft, or vehicles. The missile can select targets from pre-programmed data using a high-frequency millimetric wave radar, diminishing the chance of civilian losses.
The UK first supplied Brimstone missiles to Ukraine about seven months ago. Ukrainian troops have modified trucks to serve as mobile launch platforms for the missiles usually launched from the air.
The Brimstone’s first version entered Royal Air Force (RAF) service in 2005. In 2008, it was upgraded to be guided by laser. The next model, Brimstone 2, entered service in 2016.
Earlier, Richard Dannatt, former head of the UK general staff, said that the United Kingdom’s own defense capabilities are shrinking due to London’s military support for Ukraine.
“We have an awfully small number of main battle tanks. We have phased out the tracked Warrior infantry fighting vehicles that can accompany tanks on the battlefield. We are short of artillery, air defense, and many other aspects of our land capability,” Dannatt said in an interview with Sky News broadcaster.
According to Dannatt, while providing arms to Ukraine, the British government should not forget about its own country’s defense capabilities.
UK Chief of the Defense Staff Tony Radakin said that London would need to spend years to replenish its weapons stocks to the levels before Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.
Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, responding to “calls for help” from the republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. The US and other Western countries have since been pressing Moscow with sanctions and supplying arms to Kyiv.
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