Ben Wallace: UK planning to send anti-air weapons to Ukraine
UK will now send Starstreak anti-air missiles to Ukraine to take on Putin’s air force after sending more than 3,500 NLAW anti-tank missiles that have been used to lethal effect
- Ben Wallace said UK is exploring donating Starstreak anti-air missiles to Ukraine
- The Defence Secretary said Britain has now donated 3,615 anti-tank weapons
- Mr Wallace also said UK believes Russia has only achieved one major objective
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace today announced the UK is planning to send Ukraine lethal anti-air missiles to combat Russia’s ‘indiscriminate and murderous’ bombing.
Mr Wallace told the House of Commons the Government is ‘exploring’ donating UK-made Starstreak high-velocity, man-portable weapons.
He said Ukraine’s anti-air capability ‘needs strengthening’ because Russian forces are ‘changing their tactics’ to focus more on shelling and air strikes.
The Cabinet minister revealed Britain has now given Ukraine 3,615 light anti-tank weapons as well as other small arms and ammunition.
The Defence Secretary also said Russia has only achieved one of its major objectives since it began its invasion almost two weeks ago.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace today announced the UK is planning to send Ukraine lethal anti-air missiles to combat Russia’s ‘indiscriminate and murderous’ bombing
Mr Wallace told the House of Commons the Government is ‘exploring’ donating UK-made Starstreak high-velocity, man-portable weapons
Mr Wallace said Ukraine’s anti-air capability ‘needs strengthening’ because Vladimir Putin’s forces are ‘changing their tactics’ to focus more on shelling and air strikes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been leaning on the UK as well as other Western allies for military support.
He is said to have presented Boris Johnson with a ‘shopping list’ of arms requests, with Britain thought to be sending anti-tank missile shipments almost daily.
Ukraine has been pushing for the West to impose a no-fly zone but the UK and others have ruled out the move on the grounds it could spark a full-blown war between Russia and NATO.
Mr Wallace announced this afternoon that Britain is looking to bolster Ukraine’s air defences.
‘As the conflict intensifies, the Russians are changing their tactics and so the Ukrainians need to too,’ he told the Commons.
‘We can all see the horrific devastation inflicted on civilian areas by Russian artillery and air strikes – 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 as well as various small arms.
‘But the capability needs strengthening so in response to Ukrainian requests the Government has taken the decision to explore the donation of Starstreak high-velocity, man portable anti-air missiles.
‘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 supply of rations, medical equipment and other non-lethal military aid.’
Starstreak surface to air missiles can be used against fixed wing fighter aircraft and helicopters.
They are similar to US-made Stinger missiles which are already being used by Ukrainian forces.
Mr Wallace stressed the UK is only providing Ukraine with ‘defensive systems’.
The Government pledged in January to send military aid to Ukraine, including weapons systems and items like body armour and ration packs.
‘The initial supply was to be 2,000 new light anti-tank weapons (NLAWs), small arms and ammunition,’ Mr Wallace said.
‘In response to further acts of aggression by Russia we have now increased that supply. I can update the House that as of today we have delivered 3,615 NLAWs and continue to deliver more.
A view shows buildings damaged by recent shelling during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Kharkiv, Ukraine, March 8
‘We will shortly be starting the delivery of small consignment anti-tank Javelin missiles as well.’
Mr Wallace also told MPs that it is the UK’s assessment that Russia has failed to achieve the overwhelming majority of its invasion objectives.
‘Of the initial Russian objectives, I can announce to the House that it is our assessment that they have been successful in achieving only one,’ he said.
‘While Russian forces are in control of Kherson, Melitopol and Berdyans’k in southern Ukraine, they currently encircle the cities of Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv and Mariupol but are not in control of them.
‘In addition, their first day objectives of targeting Ukrainian air defence has failed, preventing total air dominance.’
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