Britain sending more missiles to Ukraine to help resist Russian attack
- Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told parliament ‘everything we do is calibrated not to escalate to a strategic level’
- Missiles being sent are designed to be fired by troops on the ground, targeting helicopters and planes; ‘will help Ukraine defend the skies’
Britain said Wednesday it was preparing to send more portable missile systems to help Ukrainian forces destroy Russian tanks and aircraft, but denied it was escalating the conflict.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the UK had so far delivered 3,615 Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapons (NLAWs) “and continue(s) to deliver more”.
“We will shortly be starting the delivery of a small consignment of anti-tank Javelin missiles as well,” he told parliament.
Wallace added that “in response to Ukrainian requests, the government has taken the decision to explore the donation of Starstreak high-velocity man-portable anti-air missiles”.
Like NLAWs, the British Starstreak missiles are a mobile system designed to be fired by troops in the field, targeting helicopters and planes.
“We believe that this system will remain within the definition of defensive weapons but will allow the Ukrainian force to better defend the skies,” the minister said.
“I want to assure the House (of Commons) that everything we do is bound by the decisions to supply defensive systems and are calibrated not to escalate to a strategic level.”