UK gives Kyiv classified details of UK components for SCALP missile assembly in Ukraine
The UK has authorised defence firm MBDA to release classified information about British components used in SCALP missiles, allowing Kyiv and Paris to move forward with plans for the weapons to be assembled in Ukraine.
SCALP is the French-produced version of the UK's Storm Shadow, with the two missiles using shared British and French technology.
The announcement was made ahead of Prime Minister Andy Burnham's visit to Kyiv for Ukrainian Independence Day on his first overseas trip since entering Downing Street last month.
What is the SCALP missile?
SCALP and Storm Shadow are versions of the same air-launched, conventionally armed long-range strike weapon produced by MBDA.
It is known as Storm Shadow in UK service and SCALP in French service and is designed for attacks against high-value fixed or stationary targets, such as hardened bunkers and key infrastructure.
The missile weighs 1,300kg, is 5.1 metres long and carries a blast-and-penetrator warhead. It can hit targets around 150 miles away.
The SCALP assembly plan is separate from Project Brakestop, a UK programme developing lower-cost, ground-launched weapons for Ukraine with a required range of at least 500km.
Burnham visits Kyiv on Independence Day
The Prime Minister arrived in Ukraine by train and laid a wreath and flowers at the country's national military cemetery before attending events outside St Sophia Cathedral marking the 35th anniversary of Ukrainian independence.
Addressing the ceremony, he described Ukraine as "Europe's protector, not a drain on our security but the frontline in keeping Europe safe".
He compared Ukraine's resistance to Russia with the UK's fight against Nazi Germany, saying: "My nation kept the flame of European freedom alive in the 20th century, you hold that flame in the 21st."
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky presented Mr Burnham with an award recognising the support provided by the British people.
In his own Independence Day address, Mr Zelensky said Ukraine would "not submit" to Russia.
"Ukrainians will not be cobblestones under the feet of tsars and rulers," he said.
Mr Burnham was also expected to hold talks with the Ukrainian president and co-chair his first meeting of the UK and French-led Coalition of the Willing.
Russia warns of 'consequences'
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia had the right to regard the "direct involvement of British missile forces" as "participation in the war, with all the ensuing consequences".
Mr Burnham said the warnings would not deter the UK from continuing to support Kyiv.
"Despite Russia's outrageous threats to my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine," he told the Independence Day ceremony.
The UK became the first country to provide Ukraine with long-range strike weapons in 2023 when it supplied Storm Shadow missiles. France subsequently provided the Ukrainian military with SCALP missiles.
Ukraine is also leading a European programme to develop Freyja, a ground-based system intended to intercept ballistic missiles.
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