Ukraine is in talks with France regarding the licensed production of SCALP missiles
Ukraine has made progress in negotiations with France regarding the possible acquisition of a license to manufacture SCALP cruise missiles. Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced this on June 29, noting that the parties are discussing next steps to launch production.
The possibility of technology transfer and license sharing was discussed in detail by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron during the Ukrainian delegation’s visit to France. Currently, discussions are ongoing both with the French government and directly with the weapons manufacturer to clarify legal and technical details, particularly regarding intellectual property and the immediate launch of production facilities.
At the same time, Ukraine is conducting similar unprecedented negotiations with the United States at the National Security and Defense Council level regarding the acquisition of licenses to manufacture other types of weapons, the specifics of which are not currently being disclosed.
Despite the importance of international technological cooperation and the first cautious steps in the area of foreign licensing, Mykhailo Fedorov emphasized that the state continues to place its primary focus on expanding its own defense-industrial complex. To scale up the production of Ukrainian long-range weapons, the Ministry of Defense is actively seeking foreign funding, in particular through the use of the “Danish model” of direct support for domestic manufacturers.
Source: Interfax-Ukraine
France will soon provide Ukraine with a new batch of SCALP long-range missiles. The country’s Ministry of Defense is currently preparing the shipment.
Authorizing Ukraine to launch strikes with French long-range missiles against military targets on Russian territory remains one of the options. Nothing has changed on this issue at this time.
Granting Ukraine permission to strike military targets on Russian territory with SCALP long-range missiles is still under consideration and remains an option on the negotiating table.
