Britain goes shopping for a rapid-fire missile to help Ukraine hit back

January 13, 2026 TH Author

The British government is asking defense firms to rapidly produce a new ground-launched ballistic missile to aid Ukraine’s fight against Russia – hardware that might also be adopted by UK’s armed forces in future.

Under the codename Project Nightfall, Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) is kicking off a competition to develop a ground-launched ballistic missile system with a range of more than 500 kilometers, capable of delivering a 200 kg conventional high explosive warhead.

It aims to provide Ukraine with a long-range punch capable of countering Russian forces. At the range specified, it should be possible to strike threats located within Russia from the front line inside Ukraine.

According to the MoD, the project is seeking three industry teams that will each be awarded a £9 million ($12 million) development contract to design and deliver three missiles for test firing within 12 months.

This is a very ambitious turnaround the UK government is asking for when compared with other projects, likely because Ukraine urgently needs better weaponry to help defend itself.

However, one defense commentator claimed on social media site X that it is possible if designers make use of existing parts rather than starting completely from scratch.

“The desired performance specifications can be achieved reasonably quickly by reusing existing components from other missile systems. It will give us a homegrown version of the US PrSM,” he stated. PrSM stands for Precision Strike Missile.

This is an approach that has already been successfully used. The Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM), which is deployed by the Royal Navy as Sea Ceptor, was designed to reuse certain components designed for other equipment, such as the Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM).

The intention is the missiles resulting from Project Nightfall can be launched from a range of vehicles, allowing Ukrainian forces to fire off a salvo in quick succession and then leave the launch site within minutes, before opposing forces can retaliate by targeting the launch location.

The missiles must be designed to operate in high-threat battlefields with heavy electromagnetic interference. The MoD specifies a production rate of ten systems per month and a maximum price of £800,000 (around $1 million) per missile.

It is understood that the requirements have been under consideration for some time, and were shared with potential participants for the project in December. In line with the tight schedule, the deadline to submit proposals is February 9, with development contracts expected to be awarded in March.

Project Nightfall is intended to provide Ukraine a powerful, cost-effective long-range strike option, with minimal foreign export controls, the MoD says. The latter may be a hint that it doesn’t want any political leaders which might be sympathetic to Russia to veto the missiles being sent to Ukraine.

“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,” commented Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry.

However, if successful, Project Nightfall will also “inform future UK Armed Forces long-range strike projects,” the MoD says.

This means that it, or something based on it, is adopted for service by the British Army. Concerns were previously expressed that the UK’s artillery capability has been much depleted, partly by being donated to Ukraine, such as in the case of the AS90 self-propelled gun, or simply due to dire need of modernization. ®