British Prime Minister Andy Burnham vowed to declassify some aspects of the missile’s production to allow Ukraine to produce it locally—giving it a major new weapon in the fight against Russia.

The United Kingdom is ready to share with Ukraine the blueprints of an advanced weapon system. Only a handful of weeks into office, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is preparing to give Ukraine the ability to locally manufacture the Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missile.

Kyiv’s ability to build the advanced missile will greatly expand the Ukrainian military’s long-range strike capabilities and support the country’s strategy of precision strikes against Russia’s military and economy.

Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles Made in Ukraine  

Burnham is currently in Ukraine on his first foreign visit. As part of the trip, the prime minister will announce London’s agreement for the defense company MBDA to declassify key components of the Storm Shadow cruise missile so that Ukrainian companies can manufacture the weapon system.

Speaking alongside Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to Kyiv, Burnham vowed to continue British support for Ukraine, defying what he characterized as “outrageous threats to my country” from the Kremlin.

“Ukraine has been Europe’s protector, not a drain on our security but the front line in keeping Europe safe,” Burnham 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.”

About the Storm Shadow Cruise Missile 

• Year Introduced: 2003 
• Number Built: N/A 
• Length: 16.7 feet (5.1 meters) 
• Wingspan: 9.8 feet (3 meters) 
• Weight: ~2,865 lbs (1,300 kg) 
• Engines: Microturbo TRI 60-30 turbojet  
• Top Speed: Mach 0.8 (~613 mph or 987 km/h) 
• Range: Over 155 miles (250 km) 
• Loadout: 990 lbs (450 kg) dual-charge warhead (penetration and high-explosive) 

The Storm Shadow is an all-weather air-launched long-range, conventionally armed, deep strike weapon, roughly analogous to the US-made MGM-140 ATACMS. It is most effective against fixed or stationary targets as part of pre-planned strikes. Ukraine has been using the missile since 2023, and has used it to great effect against Russian targets located well behind the front lines.

The Storm Shadow is the British version of the French SCALP-EG. The two versions of the air-launched cruise missile are the result of a joint British-French venture and were built by MBDA. The Ukrainian Air Force operates both the Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG.  

A valuable aspect of the Storm Shadow is its high survivability on the modern battlefield. Indeed, seldom will adversary air defense be able to lock in and shoot down an incoming Storm Shadow. Its high survivability is the result of a long stand-off range and low observability features. The munition can fly close to the ground to avoid detection and relies on INS, GPS, and Terrain Reference Navigation systems to navigate accurately toward the target.

Why Is the UK Giving the Schematics for Its Best Missile to Ukraine?

The UK has been one of the most loyal and impactful friends of Ukraine. Indeed, it was the former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who bolstered European morale and support for Kyiv in the critical first hours, days, and weeks of Moscow’s full-scale invasion. With Russian mechanized brigades pouring through the border and airborne troops landing a breath away from Kyiv, the future of Ukraine looked bleak. Nevertheless, London rallied international support for the embattled country and commenced an untiring stream of military, economic, and humanitarian aid.  

Successive Conservative and Labour governments have kept up the support, often paving the way for deliveries of new types of weapon systems to Kyiv, including main battle tanks and cruise missiles like the Storm Shadow.

Air-to-ground cruise missiles are one of the most important munitions on the modern battlefield. Both the Ukrainian Air Force and the US military have used such cruise missiles for strikes against Russian or Iranian high-value targets.  

For example, Ukrainian fighter jets have used British Storm Shadow and French SCALP-EG air-launched cruise missiles against Russian command and control centers, shipyards, air defense positions, and other valuable military targets. Similarly, US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aircraft have used their extensive air-to-ground cruise missile arsenal to target Iranian military, political, and infrastructural targets in the Middle Eastern country.

About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou   

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University, an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and a JD from Boston College Law School. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP. 

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