ANKARA 

The UK will give more multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and guided missiles to Ukraine, the British Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

“The decision comes following the successful use of multiple-launch rocket systems by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, gifted by the UK earlier this year,” said a ministry statement.

The new tranche of military support will enable the Ukrainian forces to “continue to defend against Russian aggression and the indiscriminate use of long-range artillery,” UK’s Defense Secretary Ben Wallace is quoted as saying in the statement.

“Our continued support sends a very clear message, Britain and the international community remain opposed to this illegal war and will stand shoulder-to-shoulder, providing defensive military aid to Ukraine to help them defend against Putin’s invasion,” Wallace added.

The ministry said that Ukrainian troops “have been trained in the UK on how to use the launchers so that they can maximise the effectiveness of the systems.”

This adds to UK’s previous commitment to train nearly 10,000 Ukrainian troops which Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands will support, the statement said.

Wallace is co-hosting Copenhagen Conference for Northern European Defense Allies of Ukraine on Thursday with his Danish and Ukrainian counterparts. The conference will discuss a plan for long-term financial and military support for Ukraine.

It is attended by defense ministers from Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, the UK and US.

“Recognising the relentless courage and determination of the Ukrainian people, the UK and its allies will begin to establish a plan of action to support Ukraine into 2023 and beyond for as long as necessary, as they continue to fight for their freedom and sovereignty,” said the UK Defense Ministry.