SIR Keir Starmer has “doubled down” on the UK’s support for Ukraine and revealed crucial European plans to help finally stop the war.
The Prime Minister announced a whopping £1.6 billion loan to fund 5,000 missiles for Ukraine following crunch talks with fellow world leaders.
ThalesLightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) that have been gifted to Ukraine[/caption]
AlamyBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer (C) greets Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) as he arrives to attend a summit[/caption]
On Sunday, the UK’s Ministry of Defence announced an unbelievable commitment to peace in Ukraine by gifting the 5,000 air defence missiles.
Western leaders had gathered in London for a talks hosted by the Prime Minister and Volodymyr Zelensky aiming to help forge a peace plan.
The PM warned Europe must step up and “do the heavy lifting” – while still scrambling for America’s “strong” backing.
In a post to X, the MoD said: “The UK will supply Ukraine with more than 5000 air defence missiles to keep people and infrastructure safe from attack.
“The deal delivers on the UK’s commitment to Ukraine and will create hundreds of jobs here in the UK.”
The precision-guided weapon, produced by Thales UK in Belfast, are deployed through the prestigious yet versatile Starstreak High Velocity Missile system.
‘LMM’ MISSILES
The Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) is dubbed a small but mighty weapon that is designed for rapid deployment whether it be land, sea, or air.
With an operational range of a whopping 6km too, the LMM can engage with deadly threats but at a safe distance.
The missile weighs a mere 13kg and measures 1.3 metres in length with a 76-millimetre diameter.
With a solid-fuel rocket motor that’s developed by the UK’s Roxel, the missiles are propelled to speeds over a whopping Mach 1.5 – which is around a lightning 1,150 miles per hour.
The missiles are able to also reach this speed following a two-stage ignition that guarantees both immediate acceleration and sustained flight.
With a 3kg high-explosive warhead, the missiles are able to deliver fatal blows to drones, small boats, armoured vehicles and infantry formations.
And with foldable finds that have a 300mm wingspan when launched, the LMM are able to operate with key precision – no matter the conditions.
Equipped with guidance systems too, the LMM extend beyond normal munitions – with the capabilities to “hit what others miss,” according to missile systems analyst Dr Emily Harper.
The LMM’s delivery platform – the Starstreak High Velocity Missile system – was originally designed by Thales Air Defence.
It initially looked to counter aerial threats travelling at speed using high-velocity darts.
But the Starstreak has since been altered and advanced to incorporate LMM – vastly broadening its mission profile.
On land, the LMM’s operate from the Stormer armored vehicle which works as a platform for the missiles – weighing 13.5 tonnes and capable of reaching nearly 50mph with around a 404-mile range.
ThalesThe Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) is dubbed a small yet mighty weapon[/caption]
ReutersPolitical leaders gathered in the lower hall of Lancaster House for a ‘family photo’ as they discussed Europe’s defence and security[/caption]
GettyKing Charles met with Zelensky at Sandringham tonight following on from the summit of world leaders[/caption]
PAUkraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and France’s President Emmanuel Macron hold a meeting during a Leaders’ Summit[/caption]
The missiles are even able to equip helicopters – like the Boeing AH-64 Apache attack aircraft – due to its compact and light design, meaning they can be fired effectively without affecting flight performance.
Meanwhile at sea, the LMM deploys from Royal Navy vessels and launched from canister systems linked to shipboard radar.
Reloads are also capable in under an unbelievable five minutes, meaning there is continuous engagement in attack.
Retired British Army officer Major General David Cullen told the Telegraph that the LMM is a “jack-of-all-trades” weapon – “land, sea, air, you name it”.
The LMM’s “will be vital for protecting critical infrastructure now and strengthening Ukraine in securing the peace when it comes,” Starmer told reporters at a summit in London.
Russia last week launched more than 200 drones in an overnight attack, in what Ukraine said was the largest such attack since the start of the war three years ago.
‘COALITION OF THE WILLING’
Britain and France will lead a new “coalition of the willing” to defend Ukraine with jets and troops, Sir Keir Starmer has declared.
The Prime Minister sought to play down the public dressing down, only insisting it had made him feel “uncomfortable”.
But Britain’s man in Washington, Lord Mandelson, ordered the Ukrainian leader to kiss and make up with Trump – arguing his peace plan is the “only show in town”
And he even urged Ukraine to call a ceasefire first and challenge the Russians to follow suit.
Fresh from the bruising in Washington, the Ukrainian war hero was front and centre at the Lancaster House summit as leaders rallied behind Ukraine.
The meeting, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, saw a major push for a new military alliance to guarantee Ukraine’s future.
Unveiling his battle plan for the war-torn country, the PM told a press conference: “This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act. Time to step up and lead, and to unite, around a new plan for a just and enduring peace.”
And he pledged to develop a “coalition of the willing” to defend any future peace deal.
He insisted the UK was ready to send “boots on the ground and planes in the air, alongside France and others.
On Saturday Chancellor Rachel Reeves signed the £2.26 billion loan to Ukraine that will be paid back using frozen Russian assets.
The bilateral loan agreement marks the first time the cash from sanctioned Russian assets will be used for military reasons.
Zelensky said that Kyiv would use the gargantuan loan to a manufacture weapons in his war-torn country.
RexWith Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko watching online, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, center, holds up signed loan guarantees for Ukraine[/caption]
EPAUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a summit on Ukraine[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
