The United Kingdom has signed contracts with several defense companies to develop its first domestically produced ballistic missile in more than 50 years, with a "pared-down" design intended to accelerate deliveries to Ukraine by late 2027, Bloomberg reported on 16 July, citing people familiar with the program.
According to Bloomberg, the accelerated effort, known as Project Nightfall, is designed to both bolster Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities and reduce Europe's dependence on American-made weapons.
Fast-tracked development
Bloomberg reported that the UK Ministry of Defence relaxed some of the missile's original requirements after receiving feedback from industry in an effort to speed up development.
The revised specifications reportedly reduce the missile's range from more than 600 kilometers to 500 kilometers and its warhead from 300 kilograms to 200 kilograms, while raising the target unit cost from under £500,000 to a maximum of £800,000.
According to Bloomberg's sources, test launches are expected to begin within the next 12 months, with the first deliveries planned for late 2027. The publication noted that ballistic missile programs typically take more than a decade to develop and field.
Supporting Ukraine and Europe's rearmament
The project is intended to achieve two strategic goals: supplying Ukraine with long-range strike capabilities and expanding Europe's indigenous defense industrial base as European governments seek to lessen reliance on US military support, Bloomberg reported.
The missile is expected to be capable of launching from multiple vehicle platforms, firing salvos in quick succession, operating in electronically contested environments, and being manufactured at a rate of up to 10 systems per month.
A UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson told Bloomberg that Britain is "applying the lessons of Ukraine to deliver military capability faster, using rapid prototyping, innovation and close collaboration with British industry."
Broader UK weapons effort
Project Nightfall is one of several British initiatives aimed at strengthening Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities.
Britain is also developing a low-cost, long-range cruise missile for Ukraine under Project Brakestop, with testing already underway in the UK, Bloomberg reported.
The report comes as European governments continue expanding joint defense projects and increasing investments in domestic weapons production amid Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
