https://mil.in.ua/en/news/military-show ... f-ukraine/The Ukrainian military showed the Swedish RBS 70 short-range portable anti-aircraft missile system, which protects the airspace in the Kyiv region.
The photo was published on social media by the press service of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.
Britain prepares to send long-range missiles to Ukraine
Britain, which has prided itself on being ahead of its Western allies in introducing new weapons systems to Ukraine, now appears poised to send Kyiv the long-range missiles the Biden administration has long denied it.
In a procurement notice posted May 2 by the British-led International Fund for Ukraine, a group of northern European countries that has set up a mechanism to send weapons to the battlefield, the United Kingdom’s Defense Ministry asked for “expressions of interest” in providing strike capabilities with a range of up to 300 kilometers, or nearly 200 miles. The notice asked for responses within three days.
No final decision has been made, according to a British official who declined to confirm the type, timing or quantity of weaponry under consideration. But the notice is a substantive step toward Britain itself supplying such munitions, and the requested specifications and capabilities closely match its air-launched Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has dismissed talk among Ukraine’s benefactors of their depleted stockpiles. “If there is a moment in this conflict we can make a difference, why not seize it? What are we waiting for?” he asked of European allies at the Munich Security Conference in February. “What is the purpose of these stockpiles? If the weapons are degrading Russian armed forces, that is increasing our security.”
Weeks before those remarks, according to a previously unreported file included among the classified U.S. documents leaked online through the Discord messaging platform, U.S. intelligence confirmed Britain intended to send Ukraine an unspecified number of Storm Shadow missiles, along with British personnel to aid in targeting.
“The United Kingdom will be the first country to provide Ukraine with longer range weapons,” Sunak said in his Munich speech.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, on a visit Tuesday to Washington, acknowledged the argument that “we shouldn’t leave our respective military cupboards bare.” But, he said in remarks at the Atlantic Council, “My answer is that if we’re saving stuff up for a rainy day, this is the rainy day.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national ... e-missile/“It’s a position the United Kingdom can uniquely do [since] Russia doesn’t like us very much anyway,” said the same British official, speaking on the condition of anonymity about internal alliance issues. “We know that if we give something it makes it slightly easier for others.”
“There is definitely a different risk tolerance among different countries. We’re often in an earlier place,” the official said, citing the pilot training, even though no country has yet agreed to provide the NATO-standard aircraft, particularly F-16s, that Ukraine has asked for.
While U.S. policy remains unchanged, Pentagon officials expressed no concern when asked about the prospect of Britain sending long range missiles to Ukraine. “Each country makes their own sovereign decisions on what types of security assistance and what kinds of equipment they provide,” said Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder. “We commend the significant support that allies and partners from around the world, including the United Kingdom, are providing to Ukraine.”
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/internation ... ortunitiesWe have launched Urgent Bidding Round 2 (UBR2) and now invite Expressions of Interest (EOI) from suppliers across the globe for:
Mobility Support - open until 9 May 2023, 23:00BST
In the following sub-capability areas:
- Armoured minefield breaching capabilities – mine rollers and mine ploughs full width and track width for Main Battle Tanks – T-72, Leopard 1, Leopard 2. Armoured mine clearing vehicles.
- Armoured vehicle launched bridges and launchers in any size.
- Medium Girder Bridges: 9m to 31m, with at least Military Load Capacity (MLC) – 70(T).
- Logistical support bridge launchers and reusable bridges: 40m to 80m, with at least Military Load Capacity (MLC) – 70(T).
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- Heavy equipment transporters capable of transporting Main Battle Tanks
The remaining requirements for UBR2 will be launched on the DSP in the coming weeks and will cover:
- Upgrade and maintenance of existing Ukrainian platforms
Air Defence - closed on 26 April 2023, 23:00 BST
- Artillery or tank ammunition production
EOIs were requested in the following sub-capability areas:
- Sensors to detect and track cruise missiles, low flying (<50m) DoD Group 2 drones, and/or ballistic missiles.
- Sensor-guided air defence cannons to defeat low flying drones and cruise missiles. Sensor could use radar, electro-optical, infra-red etc.
- Air burst rounds for cannon-based air defence systems (30mm, 35mm, 40mm). Must be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 9.
Suppliers who submitted an EOI will be contacted from 29 May.
- Expeditionary barriers to protect critical infrastructure sites - military gabion (collapsible wire mesh containers). Any size.
Long range strike - closed on 4 May 2023, 23:00 BST
EOIs were requested in the following sub-capability areas:
Missiles or Rockets with a range 100-300km; land, sea or air launch. Payload 20-490kg.
Desirable requirements:
- Low Probability of Intercept (LPI)
- Includes Mission Planning Capability
- Assured navigation (with hardened Global Navigation Satellite System capability) in the face of advanced countermeasures and EM spectrum denial
- Air defence penetration methods to increase probability of successful strike
Suppliers who submitted an EOI will be contacted from 5 June.
- Technical Readiness Level of at least 8