STORY
The UK Government has agreed that defence company MBDA can release classified information about British components used in the SCALP long range missile as part of plans to establish assembly lines in Ukraine. Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the move during a visit to Kyiv on 24 August, his first overseas trip since becoming Prime Minister, as Ukraine marked the 35th anniversary of its independence.
SCALP is the French produced version of the UK’s Storm Shadow missile and the two systems use shared British and French technology. The Government said releasing the information would allow France and Ukraine to move forward with plans for Ukrainian assembly of the weapon. The measure will sit alongside Project Brakestop, the UK programme intended to develop lower cost advanced long range strike weapons for Ukraine.
Burnham was also due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and co chair his first meeting of the Coalition of the Willing while in Kyiv. The Government said the UK has committed £25 billion in support to Ukraine since Russia’s full scale invasion, including £16 billion in military assistance and £5.6 billion in non military support.