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The United Kingdom is developing its first domestically produced ballistic missile in more than 50 years under the Nightfall program, with the first deliveries to Ukraine expected by the end of 2027, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the project, UATV English reports.
According to the report, the UK Ministry of Defence has eased the missile’s technical requirements to accelerate development. The revised specifications reduce the missile’s range from more than 600 kilometers to 500 kilometers and decrease the warhead weight from 300 to 200 kilograms, while increasing the maximum unit cost from £500,000 to £800,000.
The missile is expected to be compatible with multiple mobile launch platforms capable of conducting rapid successive launches. It is also being designed to operate in environments with intense electronic warfare while remaining simple enough to allow production of at least 10 systems per month with minimal export restrictions.
Companies participating in the Nightfall program must successfully complete flight tests before receiving production contracts. Test launches are expected to begin within the next 12 months.
According to Bloomberg, the program has a dual objective: providing Ukraine with long-range strike capabilities to counter Russia’s full-scale invasion while strengthening Europe’s independent defense industrial base amid growing uncertainty over future U.S. military support.
The UK is also developing a separate low-cost long-range cruise missile for Ukraine under the Brakestop program, with testing already underway.
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