Britain Considers Transferring NIGHTFALL Ballistic Missiles to Ukraine After Their Development Is Completed

The United Kingdom is considering the possibility of transferring NIGHTFALL tactical ballistic missiles to Ukraine after their development is completed.

This was announced by Defense Secretary John Healey during a briefing, according to the Militarnyi correspondent’s report.

For more than three and a half years, we in the UK have been among the first to support Ukraine and provide it with the necessary assistance. We will always try to respond to what Ukraine thinks it needs most. But when we do so, we do not disclose the details of the technologies we provide,” he said.

The start of development of the NIGHTFALL missile was announced in late August. It will have a range of more than 600 kilometers and carry about 300 kilograms of explosives, so the total weight of the warhead is likely to reach 400-500 kilograms.

The missile will move along a quasi-ballistic trajectory, maneuvering at the terminal stage of flight. This will ensure high hit accuracy with a circular deviation of no more than 5 meters.

The navigation system must operate stably in a “complex electromagnetic environment”, even in the absence of a satellite signal or its substitution by electronic warfare.

The developers’ requirements also include a low multispectral signature of the missile, which may involve the use of stealth technologies.

The launcher must accommodate at least two missiles and ensure “safe launch in conditions of high tactical threat” of the entire ammunition within 15 minutes after stopping at the firing position. After the launch, the crew should be able to leave the area within 5 minutes.

The expected cost of one missile is no more than 500 thousand pounds ($675 thousand), excluding the warhead, launcher and development costs.

If the contract is awarded, the production facility should be able to produce at least 10 missiles per month with the possibility of further scaling up.

The UK Ministry of Defense plans to find technical solutions and prepare at least five fully operational prototypes for testing within 9-12 months.