New Partnership Aims to Help Ukraine Build Its Own Long-Range Missiles
During a visit to Kyiv for Ukraine's Independence Day, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham shared a major update regarding military support. The United Kingdom plans to help Ukraine manufacture its own long-range missiles. To make this possible, the British government will share secret technical details about components made in the UK.
An international defense company named MBDA will provide the necessary technical information about British parts used in the SCALP missile. This information will assist Ukraine in assembling these advanced weapons on its own soil.
What is the SCALP Missile?
The SCALP missile is a highly advanced weapon designed for precise targeting. Here are some key facts about this technology:
- It is the French version of a British missile called the Storm Shadow, and both weapons share technology from both nations.
- It is launched from airplanes and can travel more than 155 miles (250 kilometers).
- The missile is 16.7 feet (5.1 meters) long and is designed to be very difficult for radar to detect.
- It is built to hit stationary targets, such as underground bunkers and important infrastructure.
- It uses an advanced navigation system to strike targets with great accuracy.
This type of missile is currently used by the air forces of Great Britain, France, and Italy, as well as several other countries. It has been used in previous conflicts in Iraq, Libya, and Syria.
When Will the Missiles Be Ready?
While this partnership is a significant step, the new missiles will not be ready immediately. It takes time to set up the manufacturing process. The weapons are not expected to be ready for use until next year at the earliest.
Ukraine is also talking with France about setting up assembly lines within Ukraine. However, it is still unclear how far along these plans are or when the first factory-built missiles will be finished and ready for the battlefield.
In the short term, Ukraine faces more immediate dangers. Currently, the country is dealing with an increase in ballistic missile attacks. To defend against these attacks, Ukraine needs more air defense systems, such as Patriot systems. However, partners in Europe and the United States are struggling to build these defense systems fast enough, leaving Ukraine with fewer tools to protect its skies.
How These Missiles Can Help
Even though they will take time to build, these long-range missiles will give Ukraine important new capabilities. Experts point out two major advantages of having these weapons:
- Deep Strike Power: These missiles allow Ukraine to strike targets far behind the front lines. This means they can be used to target the specific sites where enemy ballistic missiles are being launched.
- Better Than Drones: While drones are useful, they are often slow and easy to spot. A missile like the SCALP travels much faster and carries a heavy warhead. This allows it to blast through thick concrete and underground structures in a way that slower drones cannot do.
Tensions and Previous Support
The announcement of this partnership did not go unnoticed. A government spokesperson in Russia accused the United Kingdom of making the conflict worse by offering this help. The British Prime Minister quickly rejected this claim, questioning who actually started the conflict in the first place.
The United Kingdom has been a key supporter of Ukraine for a long time. In 2023, the UK became the first country to give Ukraine long-range weapons by sending Storm Shadow missiles. These weapons allowed Ukraine to strike targets deep inside occupied areas, including Crimea.
Additionally, British experts are working with defense businesses to test new, low-cost weapons. One system currently being tested is a ground-launched missile. This weapon is designed to travel more than 310 miles (500 kilometers) while carrying a 496-pound (225-kilogram) warhead.
