United to win: France to deliver new shipment of long-range SCALP missiles to Ukraine
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France is set to send Ukraine a new shipment of long-range SCALP missiles, with the Ministry of Defense making the necessary preparations.
The French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche.
He noted that partners should keep aid to Ukraine stable, as this would also allow the Ukrainian authorities to consider political solutions when they decide to do so.
"Military support is important, and even when the war is over, the Ukrainian army will need to continue strengthening," Lecornu said.
The minister stressed that France is committed to maintaining the training program for 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers currently receiving instruction on French equipment.
The Minister of Defense has foreseen that Russia's attacks into Ukrainian territory may escalate during the winter. He also stated that Ukraine would receive Mistral portable anti-aircraft missile systems and SCALP missiles from France.
"To allow Ukraine to strike behind the front line, in recent days, I have signed a new transfer of about ten SCALP missiles, as promised by the President of France Volodymyr Zelensky," the minister said.
For reference:
SCALP is the French version of the Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which were developed jointly by Britain and France. The French and British versions of the missile are almost identical; the differences are only in software and carrier aircraft.
The SCALP missile has a range of 560 km, but an export version with a reduced range of 290 km and a smaller warhead is also available.
