London/Kyiv, 24 August (H.S.): Britain has taken a major step towards strengthening Ukraine’s long-range missile capabilities by authorising defence company MBDA to release classified technical information related to British components used in the long-range SCALP missile. The move is aimed at supporting the establishment of a local missile assembly line in Ukraine.

According to Russia Today, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the support on Monday during his first official foreign visit to Ukraine. The visit coincides with Ukraine’s Independence Day. Burnham is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and co-chair a meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing”.

The SCALP is a long-range cruise missile manufactured in France, while its British counterpart is known as Storm Shadow. Both missiles incorporate British and French technologies.

The British government said the release of the classified information would help France and Ukraine move towards assembling the missiles locally on Ukrainian soil.

The British Prime Minister said Ukraine should be assured that Britain would continue to stand by it both now and for as long as necessary. By linking Ukraine’s security with that of Britain, he also sought to send a clear message to Russia about London’s position.

The decision is also linked to Britain’s Project Brakestop, an initiative aimed at developing a cost-effective, modern long-range strike capability for Ukraine.

Britain’s decision is expected to further strain relations between London and Moscow. Russia has repeatedly accused Britain of helping Ukraine conduct long-range strikes deep inside Russian territory.

Moscow has warned that the greater Britain’s involvement in providing weapons and technical assistance to Ukraine, the greater the consequences it could face. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also said that Moscow could regard the direct involvement of British weapons or technology in attacks against Russia as Britain’s participation in the war.

Ukraine and its European allies are increasingly seeking to expand domestic defence production rather than relying solely on supplies of foreign weapons. The local assembly of SCALP missiles forms part of this broader strategy.

Britain’s latest decision could strengthen Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities while also promoting closer cooperation among European defence industries. However, it is also likely to place additional pressure on already strained relations between Russia and the United Kingdom.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar