The United Kingdom announced Monday it will assist Ukraine in producing its own long-range missiles by sharing classified technical information related to British components. The move aims to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities as it continues to face Russian aggression.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, speaking from Kyiv during Ukraine's Independence Day, stated that the defense firm MBDA will release details on U.K.-made parts for the SCALP missile. The SCALP missile is the French variant of the U.K.'s Storm Shadow, an air-launched, high-precision weapon with a range exceeding 250 kilometers (155 miles). Both missiles utilize shared French and British technology.
According to MBDA, the missile measures 5.1 meters (16.7 feet) and is designed to be difficult to detect. It is intended for striking fixed or stationary targets, including hardened bunkers and critical infrastructure, with a high degree of accuracy due to an advanced navigation system.
The Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles are currently operational with the air forces of Britain, France, and Italy, as well as other export nations. These weapons have seen use in past conflicts in Iraq, Libya, and Syria.
Ukraine is reportedly already in discussions with France regarding the establishment of assembly lines within Ukraine for the missiles, which would enable Kyiv to manufacture its own versions. The progress of these plans and the potential timeline for their impact remain unspecified.
Douglas Barrie, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, noted that while the U.K.'s decision to share classified data is significant, the practical impact will depend on the speed of local assembly development. "Any impact ... will in part depend on how quickly Ukrainian-assembled SCALP cruise missiles can be introduced into service," Barrie said.
This development comes as Ukraine faces a shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles, despite an increase in Russian ballistic attacks, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The scarcity is exacerbated by challenges in expanding production by the United States and its European partners.
Russia reacted to the announcement with criticism. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused the U.K. of "fanning the flame" of the war. Prime Minister Burnham dismissed these remarks, questioning the origin of the conflict.
In 2023, Britain was the first country to supply Ukraine with longer-range strike weapons by donating Storm Shadow missiles. These weapons provided Ukraine with the capability to target locations deep within Russian-controlled territory, including occupied Crimea.
The U.K. is also involved in other initiatives to support Ukraine's development of strike weapons, including efforts with British defense companies to test a new ground-launched system capable of hitting targets over 500 kilometers (310 miles) away with a substantial warhead.