Overview
- The Ministry of Defence opened a competition for ground-launched ballistic missiles exceeding 500 km in range, carrying 200 kg conventional warheads with a unit price cap of £800,000 and a target output of 10 per month.
- Up to three industry teams are slated for £9 million development awards to each deliver three prototypes for test firings within 12 months, with proposals due 9 February and contracts targeted for March 2026.
- Requirements emphasize mobile launch from various vehicles, salvo firing with quick withdrawal, and resilience to heavy electronic-warfare and navigation-denial environments.
- Reporting notes the specified range could reach targets as far as Moscow if launched from Ukrainian territory, subject to future operational decisions.
- The initiative is designed to strengthen Ukraine’s deep-strike options and to inform future UK long-range strike programs, with the MoD reserving the right to amend or cancel the project.