France resumes production of SCALP cruise missiles after 15 years

France, in cooperation with its allies, has restarted the production of SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missiles for the first time in 15 years. These missiles have demonstrated their effectiveness since the war in Ukraine began, playing a significant role in modern high-intensity combat.

French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the news on his social media page X, highlighting the importance of the missile and the collaboration involved in its production.

Production of SCALP missiles to equip our forces will resume in 2025, 15 years after our last order.

On @MBDA_UK's site in Stevenage with my counterpart @JohnHealey_MP, where some of these missiles are produced.

Supplied to Ukraine, the Franco-British SCALP/Storm Shadow missile… pic.twitter.com/Slw52D5Nji

— Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) July 9, 2025

“Production of SCALP missiles to equip our forces will resume in 2025, 15 years after our last order,” Lecornu said during a visit to MBDA UK’s site in Stevenage, where some of the missiles are produced.

Speaking alongside his British counterpart, MP John Healey, Lecornu emphasised the missile’s impact on the battlefield: “Supplied to Ukraine, the Franco-British SCALP/Storm Shadow missile has demonstrated its effectiveness in modern high-intensity combat, in decisive situations.”

He also noted the broader significance of the missile program: “As a joint venture between France, the UK, Italy and Germany, MBDA is a symbol of Europe's leading defense industry.”

By Vugar Khalilov