The UK will speed up the delivery of more than 5,000 LMM light multi-purpose missiles to Ukraine as part of a previously agreed programme, has announced a \u00a345 million package of air defence missiles and is preparing restrictions on Russian exports of liquefied natural gas. The government announced the decision on 14 October during Volodymyr Zelenskyy\u2019s visit to London and talks with Prime Minister Andy Burnham.<\/p>\n
Briefly about the main points<\/strong><\/p>\n The acceleration does not relate to a new contract, but to the implementation of a programme that has already been agreed. A total of 1.6 billion pounds sterling has been earmarked for this, and the transfer of the weapons is scheduled to take place over the next four years.<\/p>\n The company manufactures lightweight multi-purpose missiles Thales<\/a> at a factory in Belfast. They can be used against aerial targets, in particular Russian jet-powered drones<\/a>.<\/p>\n Such drones can reach higher speeds and fly at greater altitudes than the piston-engined \u00abShaheds\u00bb. This makes them more difficult to detect and intercept as they approach their targets.<\/p>\n A separate batch of air defence missiles costs 45 million pounds sterling. There are plans to fast-track the delivery of 10 million pounds\u2019 worth of arms from this sum so that Ukraine can receive them sooner, ahead of winter.<\/p>\n This decision has been taken against the backdrop of intensified Russian attacks on the energy sector and civilian infrastructure. Burnam stated that support for Ukraine is directly linked to the security of the UK and Europe, and pledged to step up aid.<\/p>\n London intends to implement a complete ban on maritime services relating to the export of Russian liquefied natural gas. It is set to deny Russian exporters access to British maritime transport and insurance services.<\/p>\n The British Government is calling on its partners to introduce similar measures, in the hope of reducing Russia\u2019s revenue used to fund the war. The Prime Minister has also instructed ministers to draw up new sanctions measures, as well as packages of military and financial aid; the details of these are yet to be finalised.<\/p>\n\n
The LMM programme is designed to run for four years<\/h2>\n
Deliveries of some of the air defence missiles will be brought forward ahead of winter<\/h2>\n
Britain plans to restrict maritime services for Russian LNG<\/h2>\n
Nightfall is not included in the deliveries announced to date<\/h2>\n