SCALP-EG Missiles Proven Effective in Ukraine, France Orders More
France plans to increase production and procurement of Aster and SCALP-EG missiles in 2026, some of which will be transferred to Ukraine to strengthen its air defense.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to Militarnyi.
As part of the 2026 defense budget project, France will order additional Aster surface-to-air missiles and SCALP-EG cruise missiles. This decision is aimed at replenishing weapons stocks after transferring some of the missiles to Ukraine and strengthening national air defense.
French defense companies MBDA and Thales are responsible for implementing the contract. In particular, Aster 30 missiles can intercept air targets at a distance of up to 120 km, and some of them will be transferred to Ukraine to strengthen its defense capabilities.
SCALP-EG cruise missiles have already proven their effectiveness in combat operations in Ukraine. They are the French equivalent of the British Storm Shadow, with similar characteristics, but differ in software and launch platforms.
The standard version of SCALP-EG has a range of 560 km, while the export version is limited to 290 km and has a less powerful warhead.
Together with Italy and the UK, France has already ordered 1,118 Aster missiles under a joint contract, demonstrating joint European coordination in the field of defense.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with French President Emmanuel Macron to coordinate positions ahead of the meeting of the coalition of the willing.
"We coordinated our positions ahead of the meeting of the coalition of the willing. Now is the time when there is a chance to end the war and stop Russia. To do this, we need to continue to increase pressure on Russia, increase support for Ukraine, and finalize security guarantees," Zelenskyy said.
Particular attention was paid to the consequences of Russian strikes, strengthening air defense, and increasing the resilience of the energy system. The parties also discussed defense cooperation and specific steps to strengthen Ukraine's security.
The Gaze reported earlier that Ukraine and France signed an agreement to create a consortium for the deployment of a constellation of satellites, providing Ukraine with sovereign access to space observation data.