France boosts SCALP missile production to support Ukraine and enhance Air Force readiness.

As reported by French Aid to Ukraine on November 26, 2024, France has initiated an extensive plan to replenish and expand its missile stockpiles as part of a long-term strategy to reinforce defense capabilities. The General Staff of the Armed Forces has announced that the Air Force's SCALP-EG cruise missile stocks will be replenished in 2024. A parliamentary report indicates that 2025 will be a critical year for additional replenishment, including replacing SCALP missiles transferred to Ukraine. A total of €2 billion has been allocated for 2025 to support the restocking of SCALP-EG, Aster, and MICA missiles, as part of a broader €16 billion budget designated for defense inventory improvements between 2024 and 2030.
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French President Emmanuel Macron announced the initial SCALP deliveries to Ukraine in July 2023, with additional shipments confirmed in November 2024. (Picture source: French Air Force)

In July 2023, France began providing SCALP long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine to enhance its capability for striking high-value targets at extended ranges. Initial shipments included approximately 40 missiles, followed by subsequent deliveries of around a dozen missiles per batch, as reported in November 2024. The total number of SCALP missiles transferred to Ukraine remains undisclosed. However, these missiles have been utilized in several operations, including the September 2023 strike on the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea. The attack caused significant damage and reportedly resulted in casualties among senior Russian naval officers.

SCALP missiles, integrated with Ukraine’s Soviet-era Su-24 bombers, have allowed for precision strikes on key Russian infrastructure, including command centers and logistical nodes. These operations have disrupted Russian military activities in occupied territories. The missiles' capability for long-range precision strikes on critical infrastructure has been integrated into Ukraine's defense strategy, significantly influencing the operational environment.

France’s contributions complement those of the United Kingdom, which has supplied Storm Shadow missiles, a variant of the SCALP system. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the initial SCALP deliveries in July 2023, with additional shipments confirmed in November 2024. While specific numbers remain confidential, reports in November 2024 mentioned preparations for another batch of approximately ten SCALP missiles for Ukraine. While the missiles' deployment is seen as an operational advantage, it has also prompted concerns about escalation, with Russia issuing warnings of "countermeasures."

France has maintained an active SCALP-EG missile production. The MBDA facility in Bourges remains operational, carrying out mid-life upgrades for Greece's SCALP inventory alongside new production projects. Investments amounting to €1 billion over five years aim to expand production infrastructure across MBDA’s European facilities. For instance, the production rate for Mistral missiles is set to double to 40 units per month by 2025, while delivery times for Aster missiles are being reduced from 40 to 24 months.

The SCALP/Storm Shadow is a Franco-British air-launched cruise missile developed by Matra and British Aerospace, currently produced by MBDA. It is designed for low observability, with a maximum range of 550 km and guided by GPS, INS, TERPROM, and infrared homing systems. The missile carries a 450 kg BROACH warhead, optimized for penetrating fortified structures and targeting strategic assets such as command centers, airfields, and infrastructure. It has been operational since 2003 and has been used in conflicts including Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Ukraine. Export variants, like the Black Shaheen, have been adapted to comply with Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) restrictions. A replacement, the Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon, is under development by France, the UK, and Italy, with planned capabilities for land-attack and anti-ship missions by 2028 and 2034, respectively.

Beyond the SCALP-EG, France’s broader missile stockpile strategy includes additional orders for METEOR long-range air-to-air missiles and MICA air-to-air missiles. Modular air-to-ground munitions (AASM) are also being produced, with a target of 1,200 units by 2025. Other defense modernization efforts include upgrading aeronautics infrastructure, implementing Rafale F5 standards, and deploying advanced reconnaissance pods and Medevac kits.

The €2 billion allocation for missile replenishments in 2025 highlights France’s efforts to sustain readiness while meeting allied commitments. These actions are part of a broader strategy to address immediate needs and align with European defense objectives. Through sustained production capabilities and expanded stockpiles, France seeks to enhance its defense strategy and reinforce its role within international defense frameworks.