Ben Wallace
(Picture: PA Wire)Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has announced Britain is “exploring” the possibility of donating super-fast Starstreak missiles to Ukraine’s military amid calls from President Volodymyr Zelensky to help defend the skies above the country.
With concerns growing that Vladimir Putin could be preparing to step up his onslaught on Ukraine, NATO has repeatedly rejected appeals to secure a no fly zone.
Mr Zelensky renewed his appeal for more air defence support in a historic address to MPs by video link on Tuesday.
He said at the end of last month in a Facebook post: “To show that humanity is able to defend itself, it is necessary to consider a complete closure of the sky for Russian missiles, aircraft, helicopters.”
But with the US squashing a plan to send Polish MiG fighter jets to Ukraine via a US airbase in Germany, western powers are determined to avoid any step which could be seen as a direct confrontation between NATO forces and Russia.
Britain’s move to explore donating Starstreak missiles, announced at lunchtime on Wednesday, will nevertheless be seen as an attempt to help Ukrainian forces bolster its air defences.
Mr Wallace told MPs: “As the conflict intensifies, the Russian are changing their tactics and the Ukrainians need to too…
“We can all see the horrific devastation inflicted on civilian areas by Russian artillery and airstrikes – indiscriminate and murderous. It is vital therefore that Ukraine maintains its ability to fly and to suppress Russian air attack.
“To date the international community has donated over 900 man portable air defence missiles and thousands of anti tank guided weapons of varying types…
“But the capability needs strengthening so in response to Ukrainian request the Government has taken the decision to explore the donation of Starstreak high velocity and portable anti air missiles. We believe this system will remain within the definition of defensive weapons but will allow the Ukrainian fore to better defend their skies.”
Starstreak missiles are thought to be the fastest ground to air missiles in the world and are a key part of Britain’s ground-based air defence capability.
The portable system is built by defence firm Thales at their plant in Belfast and the system and was used to protect London during the Olympic Games in 2012.
The high velocity missiles can travel over a kilometre in less than a second and can be used to counter the threat from fighter aircraft, helicopters and unmanned air systems.
Mr Wallace also told MPs that the UK has now supplied Ukrainian forces with 3615 NLAW anti tank weapons and said Britain would also soon be donating Javelin anti tank missiles.
