France to send a new batch of long-range SCALP missiles to Ukraine

The head of the Ministry of Defence, Sébastien Le Coronneu, said that France is preparing an additional batch of long-range SCALP missiles and Mistral missiles for air defence for Ukraine.

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The ministry also confirmed plans for long-term support for Ukraine.

"We will again supply Mistral missiles, in particular, to protect combat zones. And to enable Ukraine to strike behind the front line, I have signed a new transfer of about ten Scalp missiles in the last few days," Lecorneuil explained.

The Minister stressed that France should continue to strengthen the Ukrainian army even after the end of active hostilities.

The French authorities also plan to continue training the Ukrainian Defence Forces at their training grounds. Currently, about 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers are undergoing training under the guidance of French instructors and using French weapons.

"We must maintain our assistance on a long-term basis because that is what will allow the Ukrainian authorities to consider political solutions when they decide to do so," Lecornu said.

The Ukrainian Air Force is actively using French SCALP EG cruise missiles to destroy important military targets of the Russian occupation forces.

For this purpose, Su-24M/MR aircraft have been adapted to use such long-range aircraft weapons. Ukraine also received similar missiles from the United Kingdom.

The Franco-British Storm Shadow/SCALP EG air-to-ground missile is designed to bypass air defence systems and hit important fixed objects, including bunkers and other protected targets. The missile has a length of 5.1 metres, a flight weight of 1,300 kg, and a warhead weighing 450 kg.

Source: Le Journal du Dimanche