Britain has signed contracts with several companies to develop the country's first ballistic missile in more than half a century, with the aim of supporting Ukraine and reducing Europe's dependence on American weapons. According to people familiar with the matter, the British Ministry of Defense has lowered the specifications of the weapon to speed up research and development and aim to deliver the weapon to Ukraine in 2027. The Department of Defense declined to comment on the specification changes. People familiar with the matter said that defense companies involved in the program called “Nightfall” must first successfully conduct tests before they can win a missile production contract.

Britain has signed contracts with several companies to develop the country's first ballistic missile in more than half a century, with the aim of supporting Ukraine and reducing Europe's dependence on American weapons. According to people familiar with the matter, the British Ministry of Defense has lowered the specifications of the weapon to speed up research and development and aim to deliver the weapon to Ukraine in 2027. The Department of Defense declined to comment on the specification changes. People familiar with the matter said that defense companies involved in the program called “Nightfall” must first successfully conduct tests before they can win a missile production contract.