The United Kingdom has authorised European defence company MBDA to provide Kyiv with classified information on British components used in SCALP long-range missiles, the French counterpart of the British Storm Shadow. The decision will allow Ukraine and France to launch local production of the missiles on Ukrainian territory, the office of UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said.
“On Ukraine’s 35th anniversary of independence, the Ukrainian people should be in no doubt: the UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes. I am proud of the contribution our country has made to Ukraine and I want the Ukrainian people to hear it directly from me that our support will not waver. After all, Ukraine’s security is our security. The friendship between our two countries will long outlast Russia’s illegal war. In both the fight and in the rebuilding to come, we will stand with Ukraine and deliver opportunities for people across both our countries. Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace,” Burnham said.
He is expected to visit Kyiv on August 24, in what will be his first international trip as prime minister. During the visit, Burnham is due to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky and chair a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing to discuss further support for Ukraine.
In mid-July, Zelensky said following talks with French President Emmanuel Macron that France would provide Ukraine with licences to produce SCALP cruise missiles, AASM Hammer guided air-launched bombs and Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles.
In the same month, the UK Ministry of Defence signed contracts with several companies to develop Britain’s first tactical ground-launched ballistic missile in more than 50 years. The missile is expected to be developed for Ukraine by the end of 2027.
SCALP is a long-range air-launched cruise missile. It is derived from the French Apache missile. Unlike the Apache, SCALP carries a conventional warhead rather than cluster submunitions.
The United Kingdom has previously supplied several batches of Storm Shadow cruise missiles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
