The AMRAAM missiles, donated by the UK, can shoot down cruise missiles.
The UK is set to donate cutting edge air defence missiles to Ukraine so the country can defend itself against Russian missile strikes.
The Defence Secretary announced the UK would provide Ukraine with AMRAAM missiles – the first provided by the UK which can shoot down cruise missiles.
Alongside the US provided NASAMS, the weapons will help Ukraine protect its national infrastructure, with the announcement coming days after Russian missile strikes hit civilian targets across the country.
Ben Wallace announced the donation of the weapons ahead of a meeting of NATO Defence Minsters and said Russia’s latest strikes “warrant further support to those seeking to defend their nation”.
“These weapons will help Ukraine defend its skies from attacks and strengthen their overall missile defence alongside the US NASAMS,” he said.
Hundreds of additional air defence missiles will also form the package, as well as hundreds of aerial drones and an additional 18 howitzer artillery guns.
Boosting Ukraine’s air defences has been a key priority for UK military support, having so far provided a number of air defence systems.
This has included Stormer vehicles fitted with Starstreak launchers and hundreds of anti-air missiles.
Alongside the military aid, the Defence Secretary urged his NATO counterparts to continue supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary as they review the decisions implemented following the Madrid Summit.
The meeting in Brussels will also be the first time Finland and Sweden will attend as official invitees.
Also set to be discussed is the defence industrial capacity, ensuring NATO Allies can increase the production and stockpiling of munitions to allow for the continued support of Ukraine.
The recent sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines will also be discussed, as well as how to prevent future attacks on critical infrastructure.
Source: With Agencies