UK to send world’s fastest anti-aircraft missile
BORIS Johnson yesterday announced £100million of weapons for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s “unconscionable” bombing of refugees.
The Prime Minister said high-grade equipment, including Starstreak – the world’s fastest anti-aircraft missile – is being sent to strengthen Ukrainian defences.
Mr Johnson made the announcement after Downing Street talks with German chancellor Olaf Scholz.
He said: “I know that Britain and Germany share exactly the same sense of horror and revulsion at the brutality unleashed, including the unconscionable bombing of refugees fleeing their homes this morning.
“It is a war crime indiscriminately to attack civilians and Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine will not go unnoticed or unpunished.”
Germany has faced criticism for continuing to spend billions on Russian energy, but Mr Johnson praised Berlin’s “huge steps” to end reliance on the supplies.
At a joint press conference after the talks, Mr Scholz said his country was doing “all we can” to wean itself off Russian energy, but it would take 20 years to complete. Mr Johnson said relations between the UK and Germany were “absolutely crucial” at this time.
He added Vladimir Putin had failed to divide the West and had instead united Europe and the transatlantic alliance.
He said: “Putin has steeled our resolve, sharpened our focus, and he has forced Europe to begin to rearm to guarantee our shared security.
“Britain and Germany will work together to ensure that our Armed Forces are fit for the future, including with our joint effort to manufacture state-of-the-art Boxer armoured vehicles.”
As well as the Starstreak missiles, hardware bound for Ukraine include Mastiff vehicles built to withstand Taliban mines in Afghanistan and “precision munitions capable of lingering in the sky until directed to their target”.
More anti-tank weapons, helmets, night vision and body armour are also on their way.
It comes as Western experts say Putin may be redeploying Russian troops