Ukraine to receive MLRS rocket system from UK and anti-aircraft missiles from Spain

Europe, News June 8, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Britain will supply Ukraine with multiple-launch rocket systems that can strike targets up to 80 km (50 miles) away while Spain has approved the delivery to Ukraine of 40 Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) and Aspide air defense missile systems.

The military assistance comes after Ukrainian officials pleaded for more “heavy weapons“ to help Ukrainian forces counter a powerful Russian offensive in the eastern Donbas region.

UK to send M270 multiple-launch rocket systems

The UK has announced to send M270 multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) and M31A1 munitions to Ukraine to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian “heavy artillery“ and “unprovoked invasion“. The M270 weapon system that can strike targets up to 80km away with pinpoint accuracy “will offer a significant boost in capability for the Ukrainian forces,“ the British government said.

The UK’s decision to send long-range missiles coincides with the U.S. decision to send four M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) variants of MLRS under a $700 million security package for Ukraine.

Ben Wallace, the UK defense secretary, said that “These highly capable multiple-launch rocket systems will enable our Ukrainian friends to better protect themselves against the brutal use of long-range artillery, which Putin’s forces have used indiscriminately to flatten cities.“

^{MLRS firing on the ranges at Otterburn. Gunners from Army Reserve unit 101 (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery and 1 Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (1 RHA) exercising in Otterburn Ranges in the North of England in March 2015. (Image Credit: Cpl Jamie Peters RLC/Ministry of Defense UK)}

Ukrainian troops will also be trained on how to use the launchers in the UK to maximize the effectiveness of the systems. The UK has provided thousands of anti-tank missiles, anti-air systems, and armored vehicles to Ukrainian forces.

In late April, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed that dozens of Ukrainian soldiers are training in the UK, learning how to use 120 British armored vehicles. Since 2015, the UK has trained over 22,000 Ukrainian personnel in medical skills, logistics, countering improvised explosive devices (C-IED), leadership, planning, and infantry tactics.

Ukraine to get anti-aircraft missiles and tanks from Spain

Spain will provide Ukraine with anti-aircraft missiles and A4 Leopard battle tanks stepping up its military support to the country, according to El Pais. With this delivery, Spain will become the first country to send NATO-standard air defense systems to Ukraine.

The Spanish news media claimed that about 40 tanks can be repaired and delivered to the Ukrainian army. Spain would also seek the approval of Germany, the manufacturer of Leopard tanks, to re-export to Ukraine.

*^{Spanish Leopard Tank 2A6 live-fire training exercise. (Image Credit: Twitter/NATO Allied Land Command @LANDCMD)}*

The publication said Spain’s defense ministry is also finalizing a delivery to Kyiv of low-level Shorad Aspide anti-aircraft missiles, which the Spanish Army has replaced with a more advanced system. The delivery awaits the approval at the negotiations in Stuttgart (Germany) with the European missile manufacturer MBDA.

The Spanish government would also offer Ukrainian troops training to use the Leopard tanks. The training will initially take place in Latvia, where the Spanish army has deployed a contingent of 500 soldiers and six Leopard 2E tanks as part of NATO’s Enhanced Advanced Presence (EFP) mission.