UK has supplied over 12,000 anti-tank missiles to Ukraine

London: The UK has confirmed the provision of over 12,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine since the onset of the conflict with Russia, according to a recent parliamentary exchange.

This information was disclosed by Luke Pollard, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, in answer to a query from James Cartlidge, Conservative MP for South Suffolk.

Cartlidge asked the Secretary of State for Defence about the number of anti-tank missiles procured for Ukraine both directly and through international routes since the conflict began.

Pollard responded on 25th July 2024, stating, “The Ministry of Defence has supplied over 12,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine since the outbreak of that country’s conflict with Russia.”

Pollard also highlighted the UK’s commitment to working with international allies to support Ukraine. “We will continue to work with international Allies and partners to cohere and coordinate our support to Ukraine. This includes through the International Fund for Ukraine and through international Capability Coalitions, as a demonstration of our collective enduring commitment to build a Ukrainian force capable of deterring Russian aggression for the long term,” he added.

The Next-generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW) is the first, non-expert, short-range, anti-tank missile that rapidly knocks out any main battle tank in just one shot by striking it from above.

NLAW utilises predicted line-of-sight guidance and has overflown top and direct attack modes, and it is easy to use, making it a valuable tank destroyer for light forces that operate dismounted in all environments, including built-up areas. It also has night vision capability and is designed for all climate conditions and environments.

According to the manufacturers:

“The unjammable and man-portable system can be deployed in around five seconds by a single soldier, day or night. With a combat range of 20–800 m and a single shape charge, NLAW is the best anti-tank weapon for infantries and dismounted troops in complex terrain.

Extremely flexible, NLAW can attack from almost any position, from up high in a building to behind a tree or in a ditch. You can fire down 45 degrees and can shoot from inside a building, from a basement or from the second floor of a building out of the range of most tanks. One of the major challenges facing anti-tank weaponry is hitting the target when obstructed by countermeasures and obstacles, such as other vehicles, heat sources and power lines. No lock-on signature is required. The operator simply tracks the target for a few seconds before firing and NLAW does the rest.”