France to Deliver New Batch of SCALP Missiles to Ukraine

France will send a new shipment of SCALP long-range missiles to Ukraine, as part of ongoing military support. The French Ministry of Defense is preparing the delivery, with an announcement from French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu.

In an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche, Lecornu confirmed that the French government is committed to maintaining steady military assistance to Ukraine. He emphasized that this continuous support is crucial for Ukraine’s defense efforts and its future political decisions.

“Military support is vital, and even after the war ends, Ukraine’s army will need to be strengthened further,” Lecornu stated.

The minister also highlighted France’s ongoing training program, which currently includes over 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers undergoing training on French equipment. This initiative is part of France’s long-term strategy to reinforce Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

Lecornu also forecasted that Russia’s strikes deep into Ukrainian territory could intensify as winter approaches. To counter this, France will provide additional military aid, including Mistral portable air defense systems and SCALP missiles.

“To allow Ukraine to strike behind enemy lines, I have signed an order for the delivery of around ten SCALP missiles, as promised by President Macron to President Zelenskyy,” Lecornu said.

The SCALP missiles, France’s version of the Storm Shadow cruise missile, are designed for long-range precision strikes. The missiles have a range of up to 560 kilometers, although the export version has a reduced range of 290 kilometers with a smaller warhead. These missiles are used by Ukrainian Su-24M bombers, which have been adapted to carry and launch them.