KYIV, Ukraine, June 30, 2026 — Ukraine is engaged in advanced negotiations with France to secure a licensing agreement that would allow the domestic production of SCALP long-range cruise missiles, marking a significant step in Kyiv's efforts to expand its defense industrial base and strengthen long-range strike capabilities.
Vice Prime Minister for Innovation and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov announced the development during a joint briefing with Danish Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus on June 29. He said discussions have made progress but remain in the technical and legal stages due to the complexity of licensing one of the most advanced cruise missile systems currently in service.
Negotiations Move to Technical Stage
According to Fedorov, the initiative gained momentum following a recent meeting in Paris between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron, where the possibility of local production of the SCALP missile was discussed.
Following the political-level discussions, negotiations have continued between the Ukrainian and French governments as well as missile manufacturer MBDA, focusing on intellectual property rights, technology transfer, production arrangements, and regulatory procedures.
"There is indeed progress, but it is too early to speak definitively because this is a complex process involving intellectual property, the establishment of production, and certain bureaucracy," Fedorov said.
"We are proceeding cautiously and continuing to maintain these channels of communication in order to achieve results."
Ukraine Seeks Greater Defense Manufacturing Capacity
The proposed agreement forms part of Ukraine's broader strategy to localize the production of advanced military equipment and reduce long-term dependence on foreign deliveries.
Ukraine has already received SCALP missiles from France and Storm Shadow cruise missiles—the British version of the same Franco-British missile family—from the United Kingdom and partner nations. The missiles have been integrated onto modified Su-24M tactical bombers and used in precision strikes against military targets.
Domestic production would provide Ukraine with a more sustainable supply of long-range precision weapons while supporting the development of its domestic defense industry.
SCALP Cruise Missile
The SCALP EG (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée – Emploi Général), known as Storm Shadow in the United Kingdom, is a Franco-British air-launched cruise missile jointly developed for precision strikes against high-value and heavily defended targets.
Manufactured by MBDA, the missile is designed to engage command centers, hardened structures, reinforced bridges, and other strategic targets using low-observable characteristics and precision guidance systems.
SCALP Cruise Missile Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | MBDA |
| Type | Air-launched long-range cruise missile |
| Range | Approximately 250 km (export variant); over 500 km (baseline version) |
| Warhead | 450 kg BROACH (Bomb Royal Ordnance Augmented Charge) |
| Primary Targets | Hardened structures, command centers, reinforced bridges |
| Guidance | Terrain-following navigation with GPS/INS and terminal guidance |
Production of the missile had remained limited for several years because of low procurement demand. In July 2025, MBDA announced the resumption of SCALP/Storm Shadow production to replenish inventories and support allied requirements, including potential future deliveries to Ukraine.
Wider Defense Production Efforts
Fedorov said the SCALP project is one element of Ukraine's broader defense manufacturing strategy. Following the recent G7 Summit, Ukraine has also launched consultations with the United States, led by the National Security and Defense Council, regarding licensing agreements for the domestic production of air defense systems and interceptor missiles.
At the same time, Ukraine continues to expand indigenous weapons programs, including domestically developed missiles and deep-strike systems.
To support these initiatives, Kyiv is relying heavily on the "Danish model," under which allied countries finance the procurement of military equipment produced by Ukrainian defense companies, helping increase domestic production capacity.
"We understand how to scale up what is already working effectively, and at this point, we are placing our greatest hope and reliance on our own capabilities," Fedorov said.
"We are working to ensure every additional dollar is invested into Ukrainian production."
If concluded, the licensing agreement with France would enable Ukrainian facilities to manufacture the SCALP cruise missile under French oversight, potentially including technology transfer and local component integration. Ukrainian officials noted that negotiations remain ongoing, and no final agreement has yet been announced.
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