- Category
- War in Ukraine
Ukraine Can Soon Build Storm Shadow/SCALP Missiles at Home. Here’s What Makes Them So Powerful
Britain is clearing a major remaining barrier to Ukraine's domestic production of Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles. What are these missiles, and why are they so important for Ukraine?
Prefer U24 Media on Google
- Authors
![Joseph Place]( "Joseph Place")
-605be766de04ba3d21b67fb76a76786a.jpg "Joseph Place")
The Coalition of the Willing met in Kyiv on August 24, 2026—coinciding with Ukraine’s Independence Day—bringing a series of new commitments to support Ukraine. One particularly stood out, and it concerned Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles and the future of Ukraine’s defense industry.
The UK was the first to gift long-range weapons to Ukraine back in 2023. Volodymyr [Zelenskyy] has now asked that we share our Storm Shadow technology so that Ukraine can build these capabilities themselves. I am pleased to confirm today that I have approved that request.
Andy Burnham
British Prime Minister
Storm Shadows, or SCALPS, are Anglo-French missiles manufactured by the European conglomerate MBDA. Ukraine has used them for several years now, thanks to the UK and France, who have provided them, to hit military targets in occupied territories and Russia itself, once Ukraine received permission to do so.
Now, Ukraine wants to create these missiles on its soil, adding to its growing military manufacturing industry. Ukraine entered talks with France in 2026 over a license to produce SCALP missiles domestically, which France permitted. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on August 24 that the UK will unlock classified information about British-made components for Ukraine.
What are Storm Shadows/SCALP, and what makes them powerful?
Storm Shadows, or SCALP missiles (the British and French designations, respectively), are low-observable, long-range, air-launched cruise missiles. The difference is the aircraft interface components and software. Each nation has its own stockpile. They are launched by different kinds of jets; in Ukraine’s case, modified Su-24s or Mirage 2000s.
One key feature is the BROACH warhead, which has multiple-stage detonations. There is one initial penetration that clears soil or allows the missile to enter a bunker, followed by a delay fuze that controls the main warhead’s detonation. This means that these missiles can hit targets that other missiles cannot significantly damage.
Another key strength of these missiles is their fire-and-forget guidance: once launched, they do not require additional control to hit the target. The missile is guided on a low flight path by GPS and based on terrain mapping. As it nears the target, it elevates to have a better field of view; the IR camera then matches the target image and finally strikes.
They are designed to strike airfields, ports, power stations, ammunition and storage sites, factories, naval vessels, and command and communications centers. These missiles have reported ranges of 250km for the export model, and British and French own missiles can reach up to 550 km, according to the US defense think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies.
How Ukraine has used Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles against Russia
Ukraine first acquired Storm Shadows in 2023, but was only permitted to use them against targets within occupied territories. Later, France provided their variant, which significantly boosted Ukraine’s defensive capabilities. In 2024, both Britain and France permitted Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia itself. In 2025, more Storm Shadows were sent to Ukraine, leading to a rise in airstrikes.
Since 2023, Ukraine has struck a range of military targets in the occupied territories and Russia. Notable targets have included a Russian Major General Sergey Goryachev, the Black Sea HQ—which Russia bulldozed after the attack—naval targets in occupied Crimea, the Chonhar road bridge, Russian and North Korean troops during the Kursk operation, and multiple strikes on a chemical plant in Bryansk, Russia. In 2026, Ukraine hit a drone hub at Donetsk airport with the SCALP missiles and a microchip plant.
Why does Ukraine's domestic Storm Shadow/SCALP production matter?
Storm Shadows have already demonstrated their value. If Ukraine establishes domestic production, the missile could join its growing arsenal of long-range weapons, alongside Ukrainian-developed systems such as the Flamingo missiles. This not only bolsters Ukraine’s industry but can also significantly impact the battlefield and Russia’s war machine.
Ukraine will be able to strike military-industrial factories, oil facilities, logistics, drone bases, airfields, and command centers inside Russia and across the occupied territories with an increased quantity, without being reliant on deliveries. They can create and use the missiles as needed and more efficiently. In addition to the long-range and mid-range drone strikes, this will harm Russia’s military, much of which is concentrated within range. This will protect Ukrainian cities from Russia’s relentless drone and missile barrages, as one of the best ways to shoot down a Russian missile is to make sure it never exists.
When missiles, which are hard to intercept, are raining on Russian factories and military targets on a regular basis, it may further frustrate the increasingly demotivated Russian population and military, and help force Russia to the negotiating table.
Another key benefit, considering that the production process will take time to set up, is that it helps Ukraine develop defensive autonomy and stronger deterrence for any future conflicts. Finally, the benefits go beyond Ukraine. Integrating Ukraine into European defense manufacturing and deepening its integration with Europe will bolster the continent’s defensive capabilities and security.
Discuss this article:
-29a1a43aba23f9bb779a1ac8b98d2121.jpeg "Photo of Illia Kabachynskyi")
