UK and France Approve Storm Shadow/SCALP Missile Production in Ukraine

UK and France Approve Storm Shadow/SCALP Missile Production in Ukraine

Strategic decision boosts Ukraine’s defense autonomy and expands European military cooperation; announcement made during Estonian President's official visit to Kyiv.

In a major milestone for Ukraine's defense industry, the governments of the United Kingdom and France have approved the local production of Storm Shadow/SCALP long-range cruise missiles. The announcement was made by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday (25) during a press conference alongside Estonian President Alar Karis in the Ukrainian capital.

The move marks a decisive step toward the country’s military self-reliance. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the lifting of restrictions and licensing associated with the SCALP missile, while the British government authorized European defense contractor MBDA to share classified technical data on UK-manufactured components with Ukraine.

"We will act. I believe this is a strong, positive, and firm decision," President Zelensky stated in an official release.

 

Expansion of Air Defense and International Partnerships

Beyond the breakthrough in cruise missile production, the bilateral agenda with Estonia and European allies delivered critical air defense announcements:

 

Freyja Project: Ukraine expects a detailed timeline within 7 to 10 days for the joint anti-ballistic missile system project developed alongside European defense firms.

 

Norwegian Support: The Norwegian government confirmed $9 billion in financial assistance for 2027 (outside the EU framework), with plans to help fund the Freyja project.

New Military Hardware: Deliveries of Crotale air defense systems equipped with VT-1 missiles, along with additional AIM missiles and Patriot system interceptors, were officially confirmed.

Estonian President Alar Karis, visiting Kyiv to commemorate Ukraine’s Independence Day (August 24), reiterated his country’s diplomatic efforts to secure air defense capabilities to shield civilians and critical infrastructure from air strikes.

About the Storm Shadow/SCALP Missile

Jointly developed by France and the United Kingdom, the SCALP (designated Storm Shadow by the UK) is a precision-guided long-range cruise missile engineered to strike fixed targets at ranges up to 250 kilometers (155 miles), capable of day/night operation under adverse weather conditions.