London, Aug. 24 (SANA) The United Kingdom will share classified technical information with Ukraine to help it manufacture long-range missiles domestically, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Monday.
Burnham, who visited Kyiv with other international leaders for Ukraine’s Independence Day, said defence company MBDA would provide details on British-made components used in SCALP missiles.
France has separately agreed to help establish missile assembly lines in Ukraine, although it remains unclear when Ukrainian-produced weapons could become operational.
Storm Shadow and SCALP cruise missiles are used by the British, French and Italian air forces, as well as several other countries.
Military analysts said the initiative was unlikely to produce operational missiles soon or address Ukraine’s immediate defence requirements. They suggested its impact would not be felt until next year at the earliest.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that Ukraine was receiving significantly fewer Patriot air-defence systems as Russian ballistic missile attacks increased. The shortage has been compounded by difficulties in expanding production in the United States and Europe.
A/Dh
