• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

NLAW - Combat

After many years of stability, European nations are concerned about a threat from the east and looking to substantially increase their defences at home. At the same time, main battle tanks have become an even more dominant force in armed conflicts. Armed with more sophisticated weapons and counter measures, they are now an invaluable tool in complex terrain, helping advancing forces to destroy entire buildings to root out the enemy. What’s needed is a weapon capable of taking away the tactical advantage of MBTs and restoring the balance of power to defending forces.

The first reports in Ukraine on British RAF C-17 transport planes carrying anti-tank weapons to Ukraine appeared on the evening of January 17. In total, the aircraft flew five sorties to Boryspil Airport near Kyiv, taking a detour around Germany on their way from Britain.

The Secretary of State announced to the House on 17 January 2022 that the UK had provided Ukraine with "light, anti-armour defensive weapons systems" as part of an enhanced security assistance package. Included in that support is short-term training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, provided by a small number of UK personnel, within the framework of Operation ORBITAL: the UK's long-term defensive training mission in Ukraine, before returning to the UK. The UK had not and did not currently provide training or assistance to the National Guard Unit of Ukraine, this includes the Azov Battalion.

Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine for European Integration Anatoliy Petrenko noted that this will strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities, and the funds provided will be used exclusively for defense purposes. "Undoubtedly, this will strengthen our troops, it will strengthen our defense capabilities. And I want to emphasize that this assistance will be used exclusively for defense purposes, to protect our troops, to protect critical infrastructure, and to protect civilians from any manifestations, any actions that could lead to escalation, "- Anatoliy Petrenko emphasized.

In February 2022 the UK equipped Ukrainian forces with Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapons (NLAW). On 24 March 2022 the British Prime Minister announced a major new package of support for Ukraine today at the NATO and G7 leaders’ meetings, as he calls on the international community to "stay the course on Ukraine and stand against tyranny". These measures included 6,000 missiles, consisting of anti-tank and high explosive weapons, and £25 million in financial backing for the Ukrainian military. The initial supply was to be 2,000 new light anti-tank weapons, small arms and ammunition. In response to further acts of aggression by Russia, the UK increased that supply. As of 09 March 2022, the UK had delivered 3,615 NLAWs and continued to deliver more. This more than doubled the defensive lethal aid provided to date to more than 10,000 missiles. The UK had already provided over 4,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine’s armed forces, including Next-Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapons Systems, or NLAWs, and Javelin missiles.