French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu recently announced that Paris will send additional SCALP missiles and the Mistral short-range air defense missile system to Ukraine. In an interview with French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, Lecornu stated, “To enable Ukraine to launch strikes behind the front line, I have signed a new transfer of about ten SCALP missiles in the last few days.”
He further noted that “we will be supplying Mistral missiles again, in particular, to protect combat zones,” predicting an intensification of Kremlin strikes into Ukrainian territory during the forthcoming winter. Lecornu emphasized the importance of France’s long-term assistance for Ukraine’s military, suggesting that this support would enable the Ukrainian authorities to consider political solutions when they deem it appropriate.
Additionally, Lecornu mentioned that French defense forces are currently training around 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers for front-line deployment against Russia. This latest weapons transfer adds to France’s prior contributions, including the provision of 100 kamikaze drones and financing for 12 Caesar Howitzers, funded by 300 million euros ($324 million) from Russia’s frozen assets.
### SCALP Missiles
The SCALP-EG missile, produced by European missile manufacturer MBDA, represents France’s version of the UK’s Storm Shadow. It is an air-launched, deep-strike weapon that weighs 1,300 kilograms (2,866 pounds) and measures 5.1 meters (16.7 feet) in length. The SCALP missile boasts a range of over 250 kilometers (155 miles) and is capable of being deployed in extreme conditions to target key stationary objects, such as bunkers.
Besides France and the UK, the SCALP missile has also been utilized by nations including Greece, Italy, and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the United Arab Emirates has acquired a modified version of the missile, known as the “Black Shaheen.”
