Britain will supply Ukraine with rocket launchers with a range of 80 km to combat the Russian offensive, the Defense Ministry announced on Monday, following the example of the United States.
These M270 MLRS systems “will significantly increase the capacity of Ukrainian forces,” the ministry said. The decision was taken in “close coordination” with Washington, which announced last week the supply of Himars equipment with a range of 80 km, that is, multiple rocket launchers mounted on light armored vehicles.
The Ukrainians have been asking for rocket launchers for some time now, to attack Russian positions while installing their batteries farther from the front. However, US President Joe Biden has ruled out providing Ukraine with long-range rocket launch systems that can reach Russia, to prevent the US from being seen as a co-belligerent.
“If the international community maintains its support, Ukraine can win,” defended British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace. “Russia’s strategy is changing, and our support must also change,” he added, stressing that the new weapons will allow the Ukrainians “better protection against the brutal use of long-range artillery, which Putin’s forces have resorted to indiscriminately to raze cities”.
The UK’s military support to Ukraine now totals US$937 million.
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