- New ballistic missile could carry a 200kg warhead over a
range of more than 500 kilometres.
- Missile will provide Ukraine a long range-punch to counter
Russian aggression
- Project aims to boost UK defence industry, supporting
innovation and growth while stepping up support for Ukraine into
2026.
The UK will develop new tactical ballistic missiles that boost
Ukraine's firepower to defend itself from Putin's war machine.
Under Project Nightfall, the UK has launched a competition to
rapidly develop ground-launched ballistic missiles with a range
of more than 500 kilometres and designed to operate in
high-threat battlefields with heavy electromagnetic interference.
Nightfall missiles will be capable of being launched from a range
of vehicles, firing multiple missiles in quick succession and
withdrawing within minutes – allowing Ukrainian forces to hit key
military targets before Russian forces can respond.
With a 200kg conventional high explosive warhead, high precision
production rate of 10 systems per month and a maximum price of
£800,000 per missile, NIGHTFALL is intended to provide Ukraine
with a powerful, cost-effective long-range strike option, with
minimal foreign export controls.
The Nightfall project builds on the UK's ironclad commitment to
Ukraine, particularly to its long range capabilities, through the
gifting of thousands of deep strike one-way attack drones.
Defence Secretary MP said:
The attacks overnight on Thursday just go to show how Putin
thinks he can act with impunity, targeting civilian areas with
advanced weaponry.
Instead of seriously negotiating a peace, he's seriously
escalating his illegal war.
We were close enough to hear the air raid sirens around Lviv on
our journey to Kyiv, it was a serious moment and a stark reminder
of the barrage of drones and missiles hitting Ukrainians in
sub-zero conditions.
We won't stand for this, which is why we are determined to put
leading edge weapons into the hands of Ukrainians as they fight
back.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, MP said:
A secure Europe needs a strong Ukraine. These new long-range
British missiles will keep Ukraine in the fight and give Putin
another thing to worry about.
In 2026, we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with
Ukraine. Providing equipment to keep them in the fight today,
whilst working to secure the peace tomorrow.
The project aims for three industry teams to each be awarded a £9
million development contract to design, develop and deliver their
first three missiles within 12 months for test firings.
Nightfall is a project focused on rapid prototyping, spiral
development, resilience to electronic warfare, and the ability to
scale manufacturing quickly, particularly in the UK.
Whilst aimed at supporting Ukraine, Nightfall will also inform
future UK Armed Forces' long range strike projects.
The detailed Nightfall requirements were shared with Industry
Partners on the 19 December 2025 that had signed the required
confidentiality and security arrangements. The deadline to
receive Nightfall development proposals is the 9th February 2026,
with development contract(s) aimed to be awarded in March 2026.
