In a significant step for Kyiv’s defense efforts, the United Kingdom said it will declassify technical information on the SCALP air‑launched cruise missile—known in Britain as Storm Shadow—so that the weapon can be manufactured in Ukraine. The decision, announced on Monday, follows a joint French‑Ukrainian plan to set up a production line by the end of the year.
What the missile can do
Developed by European arms firm MBDA, the SCALP is a conventionally armed, long‑range, deep‑strike weapon. It can travel up to 550 kilometers (342 miles) and carries a 400‑kilogram (880‑pound) high‑explosive penetrating warhead. Guidance combines internal navigation, GPS, terrain reference and an infrared seeker with automatic target‑recognition algorithms, allowing high accuracy in all weather conditions.
Current and future use
Ukraine has already used imported SCALP missiles against hardened Russian targets, including its first strikes inside Russia in November 2024. The missiles are launched from Su‑24 or Mirage 2000 fighter jets and fly low to avoid air defenses. Ukrainian officials say the weapons will be employed against buried command bunkers and other deep targets, complementing the lighter drones that have been used against more exposed sites such as oil refineries.
British and French statements
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham emphasized that the United Kingdom stands with Ukraine, stating, “The Ukrainian people should be in no doubt: the UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes.” French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu previously praised the missile’s effectiveness in high‑intensity combat.
Broader defense context
While the SCALP production line could take years to scale, the move underscores ongoing Western support as U.S. aid has lessened. Ukraine still faces a shortage of defensive systems such as Patriot air‑defense batteries, which have seen limited use due to a lack of interceptors. Efforts to produce Patriot interceptors domestically have been discussed but remain uncertain.
Ukraine continues to develop its own missile capabilities, including the domestically produced FP‑5 Flamingo cruise missile with a reported 3,000‑kilometer range, recently used to strike a Russian rocket electronics facility.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
