KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine has received all the weapons production licenses promised by France, allowing it to manufacture SCALP EG cruise missiles, Aster-30 air defense missiles and AASM HAMMER precision-guided bombs domestically, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on October 15.
Following a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Zelenskyy said the licenses had been delivered and called on teams from both countries to implement the agreements quickly. Macron initially announced the commitment in July 2026 during a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris.
The agreement aims to strengthen Ukraine's domestic defense industry and reduce its reliance on direct weapons deliveries from allies. Production quantities and specific manufacturing timelines have not been publicly detailed.
Three Weapon Systems Covered by the Agreement
The SCALP EG is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile equipped with a 450-kilogram warhead and designed to destroy fixed, hardened targets. It is the French equivalent of the British Storm Shadow missile.
The Aster-30 is a surface-to-air missile used by Ukraine's Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defense systems. It can intercept aircraft, drones and cruise missiles at ranges of up to 120 kilometers, as well as short-range ballistic missiles.
The AASM HAMMER is a precision-guided air-to-ground munition designed to strike ground targets.
In July, France and Italy also agreed to accelerate Aster-30 deliveries and confirmed plans to supply Ukraine with the next-generation SAMP/T NG air defense system. Ukraine is expected to become the first country to operate the upgraded system.
Additional support includes two SAMP/T batteries from France and an order for 16 Rafale fighter jets. Pilot and maintenance training is scheduled to begin in France, with the first aircraft expected to enter Ukrainian service around 2028–2029.
Zelenskyy said on October 15 that new packages to strengthen Ukrainian combat aviation would arrive during October. The two countries also agreed to accelerate the FREYJA European anti-ballistic defense program, targeting operational readiness by the end of 2026.
Europe Supplies Two-Thirds of Ukraine's Intelligence
Separately, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on October 15 in an interview with France Inter that European countries provide two-thirds of the intelligence Ukraine receives from its international partners.
The information includes optical and radar satellite reconnaissance, radio signal interception, troop-movement tracking and early-warning data about ballistic missile launches.
Barrot emphasized Europe's longstanding role in providing intelligence and direct military support to Ukraine. His comments came amid reports of possible changes in intelligence-sharing arrangements and concerns about satellite communications systems used by Ukrainian forces.
The domestic production licenses and continued intelligence sharing form part of broader European efforts to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities. However, the start date and expected output of Ukrainian weapons manufacturing have not been publicly specified.
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