Ukraine is negotiating with France to obtain a license to produce SCALP cruise missiles domestically, according to a report by Interfax.
Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said the discussions follow a recent meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron, during which the possibility of licensed production of the French-made missile was brought up.
According to Fedorov, both the French government and the missile’s manufacturer are trying to resolve issues including intellectual property rights, production arrangements, and other regulatory requirements.
The SCALP, known in the UK as Storm Shadow, is a long-range air-launched cruise missile developed by MBDA. France and the UK have supplied the weapon to Ukraine, where it has been used to strike high-value targets behind Russian lines.
France-Ukraine Defense Cooperation
France and Ukraine have expanded defense cooperation beyond military aid, with an increasing focus on joint industrial production and long-term capability development.
In June, Ukraine approved a framework under the Brave International initiative to support joint defense technology development with partner countries, including France, with a focus on accelerating battlefield innovation and attracting investment in Kyiv’s defense sector.
Earlier, in February, French company Harmattan AI introduced its Sahara synthetic-aperture radar for Ukrainian drones, enabling them to detect targets through fog, darkness, and camouflage.
That same month, France committed to supplying a replacement radar for Ukraine’s SAMP/T air defense system while an existing unit underwent repairs.
The cooperation builds on earlier support, including the January delivery of EOS Technologie’s Rodeur 330 unmanned aerial systems to Ukraine.
