According to a statement published by the British Ministry of Defense on June 6, 2022, the United Kingdom will give M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRSs) to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against Russian invasion. The MLRS is able to launch guided rockets at a range of up to 70 km as well as a tactical missile with a maximum firing range of 300 km.
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The M270B1 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), nicknamed the '70km Sniper', provides pinpoint accuracy in delivering a 90 kg high explosive warhead to its target, with twice the range of other conventional artillery systems. (Picture source British Mod)
The cutting-edge M270 MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System), which can strike targets up to 80 km away with pinpoint accuracy, will offer a significant boost in capability for the Ukrainian forces. The UK’s decision has been coordinated closely with the U.S. decision to gift the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) variant of MLRS. Alongside the M270, the UK will also supply M31A1 munitions at scale.
The decision by the British Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace comes in response to requests from Ukrainian forces for longer-range precision weapons in order to defend themselves from Russian heavy artillery, which has been used to devastating effect in the eastern Donbas region.
Ukrainian troops will be trained on how to use the launchers in the UK so that they can maximize the effectiveness of the systems. Britain previously announced that Ukrainian personnel would be trained to use a variety of armored vehicles which the UK donated, including Mastiff, Husky, and Wolfhound.
The UK was the first European country to supply lethal aid to Ukraine and has since provided thousands of anti-tank missiles, anti-air systems, and armored vehicles to Ukrainian forces.
Britain has also taken a leading role in coordinating international donations of military aid, with Ben Wallace hosting two international donor conferences to coordinate support from 35 partner nations, while RAF aircraft have moved thousands of tons of military assistance from donors around the world to Ukraine.
According to the military balance 2021, the British armed forces have a total of 35 M270B1, 227mm MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System. The M270B1 is an improved version of the American M270 MLRS.
The M270B1 GMLRS is a self-propelled, armored missile and rocket launcher, which can fire 12 rounds per minute to a distance of up to 300 km. (Picture source UK MoD)
The M270 is an American-made Multiple Launch Rocket System manufactured by the company Lockheed Martin. The vehicle is based on the Bradley IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) tracked chassis with a crew cabin at the front and a rocket/missile launcher station mounted at the rear. In 2005, the M270 was upgraded to the standard M270A1 featuring an improved fire control system (IFCS) and an improved launcher mechanical system (ILMS). This allows for significantly faster launch procedures and the firing of new types of munitions, including GPS-guided missiles.
The M270B1 is the British army upgrade of the M270 which is similar to the American M270A1 but it is fitted with an enhanced armor package providing more protection against IED (Improvised Explosive Device) attacks. The three-man crew consists of the driver, gunner and section chief, all of whom are seated in the fully enclosed cab at the front of the vehicle.
The M270A1 can carry two launch pods, each containing either six Guided MLRS (GMLRS)/MLRS rockets or one Army Tactical Missile System missile. When firing GMLRS-Unitary precision rockets, MLRS can achieve ranges of 70-plus kilometers, attacking the target with low-collateral damage, enabling danger-close fires (within 200 meters) in support of friendly troops in contact, as well as engaging high-valued point targets in open, urban and complex environments. Using a tactical missile, the M270A1 can reach a target at a range of up to 300 km.
The M31A1 munitions that the UK will deliver with the M270 MLRS is a precision GPS-guided munition that is able to hit a ground target at a range of up to 70 km, and Global Positioning System (GPS) accuracy.
