UK to deploy advanced air defense system, 100 troops in Poland
The United Kingdom keeps on supplying NATO members with weapons amid Russia's special military operation in Ukraine.
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UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace
UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace announced on Thursday that his country will send its most advanced air defense systems and 100 troops to Poland to bolsters NATO’s eastern flank amid Russia’s ongoing military operation in Ukraine.
The Sky News broadcaster quoted Wallace as saying to reporters during his visit to Warsaw that the UK will "deploy the Sky Sabre medium-range, anti-air missile system to Poland with about 100 personnel to make sure that we stand alongside Poland, protecting its airspace from any further aggression by Russia."
The Sky Sabre air defense system reportedly launches missiles at speeds of 2,300 miles per hour that can target objects as small as a tennis ball and can be used against planes, drones, and rockets.
The lorry-mounted weapon consists of Giraffe radar units and Landceptor missile launcher platforms, from which up to 24 missiles can be simultaneously controlled by a central unit.
The UK and its allies would continue supporting Ukraine
On Wednesday, the UK Defense Ministry confirmed that London will provide Ukraine with Starstreak, a high-velocity anti-aircraft missile system, among other military aid to Kiev.
"During the meeting, Defense Ministers agreed to continue providing significant military supplies to Ukraine," London's ministry said in a statement, underlining that the country's aid to Ukraine would include "lethal and non-lethal aid," a term the West has been using for armament supplies to their allies in eastern Europe.
The UK Defence Secretary highlighted that the UK would be providing Starstreak, "a high-velocity anti-aircraft missile system, that complements the other military aid provided by the UK Armed Forces, including over 4,000 anti-tank missiles," the statement added.
According to the Ministry, defense chief Ben Wallace said the UK and its allies would continue supporting Ukraine against Russia's military operation.
It is noteworthy that Poland seems to have become a logistical hub for weapon storage to be shipped to Ukraine and a channel for foreign mercenaries flowing into Ukraine.
