In a statement released on Monday, the British government said it will declassify technical information on the SCALP air‑launched cruise missile—known in the United Kingdom as Storm Shadow—so that a production line can be established in Ukraine by the end of the year. The decision follows a joint request from Paris and Kyiv to set up local manufacturing of the weapon.
What the missile can do
Developed by European arms firm MBDA, the SCALP is a conventionally armed, long‑range, deep‑strike weapon. It is powered by a turbojet engine and can travel up to 550 kilometers (342 miles) while carrying a 400‑kilogram (880‑pound) high‑explosive penetrating warhead. Once launched, the missile uses a combination of internal navigation, global positioning, terrain reference, and an infrared seeker with automatic target‑recognition algorithms to maintain accuracy in all weather conditions.
The missile is launched from fighter aircraft such as Ukraine’s Su‑24 or Mirage 2000 jets and flies low to the ground to avoid air defenses. Ukraine has already used imported SCALP missiles against hardened targets inside Russia, including a notable strike in November 2024.
British and French commitment
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the United Kingdom is “behind Ukraine today and for as long as it takes,” emphasizing that Ukraine’s security is intertwined with Britain’s own security. Burnham announced the declassification during a press conference in Kyiv on the Ukrainian Independence Day, his first overseas trip since taking office on July 20.
French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu previously praised the missile’s performance, noting that the Franco‑British SCALP/Storm Shadow has proven effective in high‑intensity combat. While the exact number of missiles already supplied to Ukraine has not been disclosed, MBDA reactivated production lines in 2025 after a 15‑year shutdown.
Limitations and broader context
Even with the new technology transfer, experts say it could take several years for Ukrainian factories to reach full production capacity. The move does not address Ukraine’s shortage of defensive systems such as the U.S.–designed Patriot air‑defense batteries, which have faced interceptor shortages in recent weeks.
Ukraine has also sought permission to produce Patriot interceptors domestically, an idea initially supported by former U.S. President Donald Trump but later reconsidered. Additionally, attempts to acquire U.S. long‑range Tomahawk cruise missiles have been rebuffed.
Ukrainian missile development
Ukraine continues to develop its own missile capabilities. Domestic manufacturer Fire Point unveiled the FP‑5 Flamingo cruise missile, boasting a 3,000‑kilometer range and recently used to strike a Russian rocket electronics facility roughly 900 kilometers from the border. The company is also working on long‑range drones paired with shorter‑range ballistic missiles.
Analysts note that Ukraine’s expanding long‑range strike arsenal is forcing Russia to stretch its defensive resources across a wider front, turning the country’s vast land area into a strategic challenge for Moscow.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
