TSAMTO, June 7. According to British Defense Minister Ben Wallace, London will transfer multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) to Ukraine to "protect against Russian aggression."
The decision was made in response to requests from the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the supply of high-precision weapons of longer range to protect against Russian heavy artillery, which is used in the Donbas.
The decision of the UK authorities is coordinated with the US decision to transfer the HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The M270B1 MLRS are currently in service with the British Armed Forces. Like HIMARS, they can fire guided and unguided 227-mm rockets and OTP ATACMS.
The number and timing of the transfer of M270 are not officially disclosed. According to BBC News, initially only three MLRS will be delivered. In addition to combat vehicles, the UK intends to supply M31A1 jet ammunition "in large quantities".
Earlier, the administration of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also announced its intention to transfer 4 MARS II MLRS to the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the presence of the German Armed Forces.
Ukrainian servicemen will be trained in the operation of launchers in the UK. Earlier, the UK also announced plans to train the personnel of the Armed Forces in the use of transferred armored vehicles of various types, including the Mastiff, Husky and Wolfhound.
The UK has taken a leading role in coordinating the provision of military assistance to Ukraine by foreign states: Ben Wallace has held two international donor conferences to coordinate support from 35 partner countries, and British Air Force aircraft deliver aid to Ukraine from donors.
As reported by TSAMTO, in March 2021, the command of the British Ground Forces announced that it was embarking on a five-year modernization program for 44 existing tracked multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) M270B1 MLRS. Presumably, unmodernized installations will be transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
M270 is a heavy tracked self–propelled launcher, which is equipped with two transport and launch containers, each of which contains six unguided or controlled 227-mm RS, or one ATACMS tactical missile.
The M31A1 is a 227-mm guided missile with a unitary high-explosive warhead weighing about 90 kg. The RS is equipped with a combined inertial/GPS navigation system and allows you to hit targets at ranges from 15 to 84 km.
