UK LIFTS RESTRICTIONS ON CLASSIFIED SCALP DATA AS MOSCOW THREATENS BRITAIN
The United Kingdom has reportedly authorized missile manufacturer MBDA to share classified technical information with Ukraine concerning certain British-made components of the SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missile.
The decision removes a major restriction and could potentially allow Ukraine to move closer to the local production and assembly of the missile, with support from France and other European defence industry partners.
The development comes as Kyiv seeks to strengthen its long-range strike capabilities and gradually reduce its dependence on missile stocks supplied by Western allies. The SCALP/Storm Shadow, already used by Ukrainian forces against Russian military targets, remains one of the key long-range weapons provided to Ukraine by Britain and France.
Moscow has reacted sharply, warning that British military facilities and equipment could become targets “in Ukraine and beyond Ukraine” in response to what Russia describes as London’s growing involvement in Ukrainian strikes using Western-supplied missiles.
The reported move marks a potentially significant escalation: London is opening access to sensitive SCALP-related technical data, while Moscow is directly threatening the United Kingdom with possible military retaliation.