Britain plans to support domestic production of long-range cruise missiles as Kyiv seeks to strengthen its defense industry

The United Kingdom is preparing to share classified technical information with Ukraine to help the country develop its own long-range cruise missile production capability, marking another step in London's military support for Kyiv amid the ongoing war with Russia.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the initiative during Ukraine's Independence Day events in Kyiv, saying that British defense company MBDA would provide Ukraine with technical data related to British-made components used in the Storm Shadow cruise missile.

The move is intended to enable Ukraine to manufacture SCALP cruise missiles domestically using technology jointly developed by the United Kingdom and France.

Focus on long-term strike capability

Defense analysts note that the initiative is aimed at strengthening Ukraine's long-term defense industrial base rather than addressing its immediate battlefield requirements.

The SCALP missile, the French counterpart to the British Storm Shadow, has a range exceeding 250 kilometers and is designed to strike fortified positions, command centers and other high-value fixed targets with precision.

While the technology transfer could eventually expand Ukraine's domestic missile production capacity, experts say the process of establishing production and deploying the weapons is likely to take considerable time.

Immediate air defense needs remain

Analysts argue that Ukraine's most urgent military requirement continues to be stronger air defense against Russian ballistic missile attacks.

Arun Dawson, a researcher at the Freeman Air and Space Institute at King's College London, said the missile production initiative is unlikely to provide meaningful support during the coming winter, with operational benefits expected no earlier than next year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also recently warned that supplies of Patriot air defense interceptors have declined significantly while Russian missile attacks continue.

The contrast highlights Kyiv's current challenge: although Ukraine seeks to expand its long-range strike capability, it remains in need of additional defensive systems to protect its cities and critical infrastructure.

Expansion of British military assistance

The United Kingdom became the first country to supply Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine in 2023, enabling Ukrainian forces to conduct long-range strikes against Russian military targets and positions in Russian-controlled Crimea.

London is now seeking to support Ukraine's ability to manufacture similar weapons domestically as part of broader efforts to strengthen the country's defense industry.

British officials are also working with defense companies on a new ground-launched strike system reportedly capable of exceeding 500 kilometers in range and carrying a warhead of approximately 225 kilograms.

Moscow criticizes the plan

The announcement drew criticism from Moscow.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Britain of "fueling the flames of war" by expanding military support for Ukraine.

Burnham rejected the accusation, responding to reporters by asking, "Who started the fire?"

The latest initiative reflects London's continued commitment to enhancing Ukraine's long-term military capabilities, even as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue alongside ongoing international military assistance. (ILKHA)