UK mulls providing Ukraine with fastest surface-to-air missiles

LONDON

The UK is weighing to supply Ukraine with one of the world’s fastest short-range surface-to-air missiles, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said Wednesday.

Giving a statement in the House of Commons, Wallace told British lawmakers that the STARstreak missiles are considered as defensive weapons by the Defense Ministry.

“In response to a Ukrainian request, the Government has taken the decision to explore the donation of STARstreak high-velocity manned portable anti-air missiles,” Wallace said.

“We believe that this system will remain within the definition of defensive weapons but will allow the Ukrainian force to better defend their skies.”

“We shall also be increasing the supplies of rations, medical equipment and other non-lethal military aid,” Wallace added.

He said Russia was changing tactics in the war and Ukrainians should do the same. He also said British military intelligence shows that Russians has only been successful in one of their main objectives so far.

Wallace said Russia has so far lost 285 tanks, 985 armored vehicles, 109 artillery systems, 50 rocket launch systems, 44 aircraft, and 48 helicopters, according to Ukrainians.

He added that 11,000 Russian troops were also killed in Ukraine, but the UK has not been able to verify this figure.

“STARStreak High Velocity Missile was designed to provide close air defence against conventional air threats such as fixed wing fighters and late unmasking helicopter targets,” according to the producer Thales.

The missile is “capable of being launched from lightweight land, sea and air platforms.”

The British government has repeatedly said it would continue providing “lethal and non-lethal aid” to Ukraine.