Britain is helping Ukraine expand its domestic weapons production capacity as the country fights Russia, aiming to make Kyiv more self-reliant. As part of the effort, Britain is providing technology and information for advanced missile production. The support is expected to reduce Ukraine’s future dependence on weapons supplies from Western countries.

Britain recently shared confidential information related to important components of the French-made SCALP missile, according to the report. Ukraine could use the information to manufacture and assemble similar cruise missiles on its own territory. The initiative is being viewed as a major step in the transformation of Ukraine’s weapons industry.

Ukraine has long relied on arms supplied by the United States and European countries, but political decisions, stock shortages and delivery delays have sometimes forced Kyiv to wait. It is also seeking to produce missile-defence systems domestically, while depending heavily on US-made Patriot systems against Russian ballistic missiles. Britain and European countries are seeking to help Ukraine sustain its defence even if political conditions change in Western states.