British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Monday visited Kyiv on his first foreign trip since taking office, where he announced plans to support Ukraine’s domestic production of long-range missiles amid escalating attacks by Russia.
Burnham is in Ukraine to co-chair a meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing”, a group of countries supporting Kyiv, and is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The British prime minister is also expected to announce that the United Kingdom has agreed to allow European defence company MBDA to declassify information on British-made components used in the SCALP long-range cruise missile.
According to Downing Street, the move will help France and Ukraine establish local assembly lines for the missile, which incorporates British and French technology.
“Ukraine’s security is our security,” Burnham said in a statement, adding that Britain would stand by Ukraine “for as long as it takes.”
Ahead of the visit, Burnham said the UK’s support for Ukraine would remain unwavering.
“On Ukraine’s 35th anniversary of independence, the Ukrainian people should be in no doubt: the UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes,” he said.
“I am proud of the contribution our country has made to Ukraine and I want the Ukrainian people to hear it directly from me that our support will not waver. After all, Ukraine’s security is our security.”
He added that the friendship between Britain and Ukraine would “long outlast Russia’s illegal war.
“Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace,” Burnham said.
On Monday morning, the prime minister laid flowers at the graves of Ukrainian soldiers during a service at the National Military Memorial Cemetery.
He is also expected to accept an award on behalf of the British people in recognition of the UK’s support for Ukraine and participate in events marking Ukraine’s Independence Day.
The planned declassification of information on British components used in the SCALP missile is considered a significant development in Ukraine’s efforts to expand its domestic weapons production.
The SCALP, the French equivalent of Britain’s Storm Shadow cruise missile, weighs about 1,300kg and measures 5.10 metres in length. It can strike targets at distances of around 150 miles.
The missile is designed to hit pre-planned stationary targets and can operate during the day or night and in various weather conditions. It uses advanced navigation systems to reach its targets.
MBDA said the weapon is in service with the Royal Air Force, French Air Force and Italian Air Force, and has been used in conflicts including Iraq, Syria and Libya.
The move comes as Ukraine increasingly relies on long-range drones and strike weapons to attack Russian oil refineries, warehouses and logistics facilities located far behind the front lines.
British Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the UK was sharing the missile information to help Ukraine strengthen its ability to defend itself.
“It’s not just the front lines, it’s shopping centres, it’s housing that’s being targeted by Russia in their illegal war and that’s why we have said and we will continue to make sure our actions follow it that we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” Pollard told BBC Breakfast.
He said Ukraine needed a range of weapons, adding that Britain was also providing air defence systems to counter Russian cruise missiles and equipment to combat drones.
