Ukraine is actively developing its own long-range strike capabilities, but in the coming years its arsenal could also be significantly strengthened by various types of Western cruise missiles. Recently, the Netherlands announced plans to fund the production of as many as 700 cruise missiles from Destinus. Earlier, there were strong indications that Ukraine had received and was already using ERAM cruise missiles with a range exceeding 930 km, with thousands of these weapons ultimately expected to be delivered.
And this is still not the full picture. Days ago, defense giant MBDA announced the successful completion of tests of its long-range Crossbow weapon system, conducted in late 2025 and early 2026. The company plans to begin production of the system this year on a "large scale and at a rapid pace."
Read more: Storm Shadow or ERAM? What Missiles Might Ukraine Have Used to Strike VZPP Plant in Voronezh?
MBDA UK developed Crossbow remarkably quickly: only nine months passed from the initial design phase to the public demonstration. The cruise missile (also described as a missile-drone or jet-powered drone) was first revealed in the summer of last year. It features a range of 800 km and carries a substantial 300-kg warhead, while measuring 5.3 meters in length with a wingspan of 3 meters.
As Financial Times recently reported, MBDA UK’s Crossbow is one of three missiles included in the ambitious British Project Brakestop, which aims to develop affordable long-range strike weapons.
In addition to Crossbow, the project involves the TigerShark developed by MGI Engineering. It also carries a 300-kg warhead and can reportedly strike targets at ranges of up to 1,000 km. At the same time, its cost remains relatively low, at slightly more than half a million dollars per missile.
TigerShark conducted its first flight earlier this year. Previously, it was reported that the weapon was developed using a technological approach similar to that employed in Formula 1 racing.
The third system involved in the project is the SkyLance developed by Rotron Aerospace. It has the longest stated range among the three systems, reaching up to 1,200 km, while carrying a payload of up to 300 kg.
According to available reports, at least one, and possibly several, of these systems will be transferred to Ukraine after completing their testing programs. The exact quantities remain unknown, but deliveries are expected to take place before the end of this year.
Importantly, these weapons are ITAR-free, meaning they are developed without the use of U.S.-made components. This was done specifically to ensure that the United Kingdom retains full control over the systems and can transfer them to Ukraine without restrictions.
Read more: Inspired by Ukraine's Peklo Unit: MBDA Unveils Crossbow Cruise Missile With 800 km Range
