The United Kingdom has launched a competition to develop tactical ballistic missiles with a range exceeding 500 kilometers for Ukrainian forces, the UK Ministry of Defence announced.
Under Project Nightfall, the UK will award three industry teams £9 million ($11.1 million) development contracts each to design and deliver their first three missiles within 12 months for test firings, according to the ministry. The project targets a production rate of 10 systems per month at a maximum cost of £800,000 ($984,000) per missile.
The missiles will carry a 200-kilogram conventional high explosive warhead and are designed to operate in battlefields with heavy electromagnetic interference. The systems will be capable of launching from various vehicles, firing multiple missiles in quick succession, and withdrawing within minutes.
"The attacks overnight on 8 January just go to show how Putin thinks he can act with impunity, targeting civilian areas with advanced weaponry," Defence Secretary John Healey said. "Instead of seriously negotiating a peace, he's seriously escalating his illegal war."
Healey referenced air raid sirens heard around Lviv during his journey to Kyiv as "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," he added.
The ministry shared detailed requirements with industry partners on 19 December 2025, with proposals due by 9 February 2026. Development contracts are scheduled for award in March 2026.
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."
The project emphasizes rapid prototyping, spiral development, resilience to electronic warfare, and the ability to scale manufacturing quickly in the UK. Nightfall is designed with minimal foreign export controls and will also inform future UK Armed Forces long-range strike projects, according to the ministry.
