Britain announced on Monday it would allow Kyiv access to classified technology to start production of European SCALP long-range cruise missiles in Ukraine. comLondon is set to hand Ukraine classified information on British components used in the Storm Shadow/Scalp long-range missile, a move expected to clear the way for France and Ukraine to pursue local production of the weapon.

The Kremlin has condemned the decision, accusing Britain of obstructing efforts towards a peace settlement. British prime minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv on Monday, his first overseas trip since taking office, as Ukraine marked its Independence Day.

He was expected to meet president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and co-chair a meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing alongside other international leaders. European council president Antonio Costa, Moldovan president Maia Sandu, Luxembourg prime minister Luc Frieden and Estonian president Alar Karis were also in Kyiv.

Burnham was expected to announce that the UK Government had agreed to allow defence company MBDA to release classified information relating to British components used in the Scalp long-range missile, according to his office. The move is intended to enable France and Ukraine to advance plans for local assembly and production of the missile in Ukraine.

The development comes as Britain continues to expand its military and diplomatic support for Ukraine. London was the first country to announce plans to supply Kyiv with Western-made battle tanks and long-range cruise missiles following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Britain has pledged more than £25 billion ($34 billion) in military and civilian support to Ukraine, according to the information provided by Downing Street. What is Storm Shadow?

Storm Shadow/Scalp is an air-launched, long-range, conventionally armed deep-strike missile designed for pre-planned attacks against high-value fixed or stationary targets, including hardened bunkers and key infrastructure. 10 metres long.

It is designed for long-range deep-strike missions and can be operated day and night in all weather conditions. Its navigation system combines inertial navigation, GPS and terrain referencing.

After launch, the missile descends to a terrain-hugging altitude intended to reduce the chances of detection. As it approaches its target, an onboard infrared seeker uses the stored target image to guide the final phase of the strike.