Prime Minister Andy Burnham is in Ukraine to hand over UK blueprints that will help the country manufacture its own long-range missiles.
Mr Burnham is in Kyiv to mark Ukraine's Independence Day, where he will co-chair a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, set up by the UK and France to support Ukraine under his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.
The transfer of designs is intended to strengthen Ukraine's domestic defence industry, reducing its reliance on deliveries of finished weapons from abroad.
“Sharing know-how rather than just hardware gives Ukraine something that lasts beyond any single aid package.”
Ukrainian officials have long argued that the ability to produce weapons at home would give the country greater flexibility and resilience over the course of the conflict.
“Helping Ukraine build its own capability is about making sure it can defend itself for the long term, not just the next few months,” a government spokesperson said.
The coalition brings together a group of countries that have pledged political, military and economic backing for Ukraine, and has discussed possible security guarantees in the event of a ceasefire.
The visit is the latest in a series of trips by Western leaders to Kyiv, and is seen as a signal of continued UK commitment following the change of prime minister.
Moscow has previously criticised Western military support for Ukraine, warning that it risks prolonging the war.
Defence experts note that building a domestic production line for advanced weapons takes time, requiring skilled workers, secure facilities and reliable supply chains for components, all of which must be protected from attack during an active conflict.
Further details of the co-operation, including timelines for production, are expected to be discussed at the coalition meeting.
