UK missiles offer may help Ukraine – but they are not what Zelensky needs most

The UK plans to share blueprints for its British-French-designed Storm Shadow cruise missiles with Ukraine, following a similar offer from France. This move signals Western nations' willingness to share expertise to aid Ukraine's defense. However, this alone won't significantly change the war's course. Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles have already been provided to Kyiv and used against military targets in Russia.

While expensive at around £1 million each, the missiles rely on complex global supply chains and have been built in relatively low quantities. Even with blueprints, producing the missiles domestically could take months or years, making it an ineffective strategy for winning a war. NATO nations now understand this, with the UK developing its own, cheaper long-range cruise missiles under Project Brakestop.

This shift in mindset is evident as the UK is no longer purchasing Storm Shadow missiles and aims to supply Ukraine with a new weapon by the end of the year. Ukraine has demonstrated the ability to produce cost-effective, mass-produced weapons necessary for prolonged conflicts. However, the shared missile blueprints will not immediately address Ukraine's most pressing needs, such as fast fighter jets and interceptors to counter Russian ballistic missiles.

The most effective defense against Russian ballistic missiles is the US-made Patriot interceptor, but Ukraine has run out of these missiles, and their production is slow. The US is planning to double its Patriot missile production, but it will take several years. Ukraine is also developing its own interceptor missiles with European support, but the technological challenges are significant.