UK Plans New Ballistic Missile for Ukraine

UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey with Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal On January 09, 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine | Photo: UK Ministry of Defence

The United Kingdom will begin developing a new tactical ballistic missile system intended for use by Ukraine, according to a press release issued by the UK Ministry of Defence on January 11. The project, known as Project Nightfall, is aimed at delivering a ground-launched ballistic missile with a range of more than 500 kilometres.

The missile under development is expected to carry a conventional high-explosive warhead weighing around 200 kilograms. According to the Ministry of Defence, the system is being designed to operate in high-threat environments where heavy electromagnetic interference is present. The missiles are intended to be launched from a variety of vehicles, fire multiple rounds in quick succession, and relocate within minutes.

The UK government said Nightfall missiles are planned to have a maximum unit cost of £800,000, with a target production rate of 10 systems per month. The project also aims to limit reliance on foreign export controls. While the system is being developed to support Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence said the work will also inform future long-range strike capabilities for UK Armed Forces.

Defence Secretary John Healey referred to recent Russian attacks in Ukraine, stating, “The attacks overnight on Thursday just go to show how Putin thinks he can act with impunity, targeting civilian areas with advanced weaponry. Instead of seriously negotiating a peace, he’s seriously escalating his illegal war. We were close enough to hear the air raid sirens around Lviv on our journey to Kyiv, it was a serious moment and a stark reminder of the barrage of drones and missiles hitting Ukrainians in sub-zero conditions. We won’t stand for this, which is why we are determined to put leading edge weapons into the hands of Ukrainians as they fight back.”

Debris recovered from the Oreshnik strike | Photo: Ukrainian Security Service (SBU)

Russia carried out a strike on Ukraine last week using the Oreshnik system, which Moscow described as a new or modified long-range precision weapon, marking its first publicly acknowledged use in the war against Ukraine. Ukrainian officials said the attack targeted military-related infrastructure and caused damage, while air-defence efforts were reported, with limited independent confirmation of the weapon’s exact performance. Western analysts and media reports said the strike appeared intended as a signal by Russia, highlighting escalation risks and Moscow’s messaging about new strike capabilities rather than a decisive change on the battlefield.

The British defence ministry said the Oreshnik travelled approximately 1622 km to its target after being launched. It was accompanied by around 200 drones, ten ballistic missiles and ten Kalibr land attack cruise missiles targeting locations across Ukraine. The British defence ministry said the use of the Oreshnik experimental system against Ukraine was almost certainly intended as strategic messaging following Russia’s inaccurate public claims that Ukraine carried out an attack on Russian President Putin’s residence in Novgorod on 29 December.

This Oreshnik strike came after Russia rejected the European-led proposal announced on Tuesday in Paris to send British and French peacekeepers to Ukraine after a ceasefire. Russia has said it would not accept the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine, saying they would be considered legitimate targets.

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) published photographs of the debris recovered from the Oreshnik strike.

The Defence Secretary also announced during his visit to Ukraine the allocation of £200 million in funding to prepare the UK Armed Forces to deploy as part of the Multinational Force for Ukraine (MNFU). “We are surging investment into our preparations following the Prime Minister’s announcement this week, ensuring that Britain’s Armed Forces are ready to deploy, and lead, the Multinational Force Ukraine, because a secure Ukraine means a secure UK,” said Healey.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said, “A secure Europe needs a strong Ukraine. These new long-range British missiles will keep Ukraine in the fight and give Putin another thing to worry about. In 2026, we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. Providing equipment to keep them in the fight today, whilst working to secure the peace tomorrow.”

Under the plan, three industry teams are expected to receive £9 million each to develop and deliver three missiles within 12 months for testing. Proposals are due by February 9, 2026, with contracts expected to be awarded in March.