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Ukraine to Produce 'Storm Shadow' Cruise Missiles with UK Tech Support

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Ukraine will produce its own "Storm Shadow" cruise missiles with technical assistance from MBDA.
  • The missiles, capable of destroying underground bunkers, are expected to be operational by next year, potentially too late for current needs.
  • Experts note the missiles will provide deep strike capability but emphasize Ukraine's urgent need for air defense systems against Russian attacks.

Ukraine is set to begin domestic production of long-range cruise missiles, receiving crucial technical data for the "SCALP" missile from the European defense firm MBDA. This initiative, announced by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a visit to Kyiv, aims to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities by enabling self-sufficiency in producing advanced weaponry.

The SCALP missile, a French variant of the British "Storm Shadow," boasts a range exceeding 250 kilometers. Its design incorporates stealth characteristics and an advanced navigation system, making it highly effective against hardened underground targets and critical infrastructure. While the UK and France have previously supplied these missiles to Ukraine, domestic production is seen as a strategic step towards long-term defense.

This technology transfer will not help Ukraine get through the severe test of this winter.

— Arun DawsonHighlighting the urgency of Ukraine's need for immediate air defense solutions.

However, military experts caution that the domestically produced missiles are unlikely to be ready for combat until next year. This timeline raises concerns about their immediate impact on Ukraine's current defense needs, particularly in countering intense Russian ballistic missile strikes. Arun Dawson, a researcher at King's College London, stressed that Ukraine's most pressing requirement is air defense systems to survive the upcoming winter.

Ukraine's most urgent need is air defense systems to counter Russian ballistic missile attacks.

— Arun DawsonEmphasizing the critical importance of air defense systems.

Despite the delayed operational readiness, the SCALP missile is expected to grant Ukraine significant deep strike capabilities, allowing it to target Russian launch sites. Matthew Savill of the Royal United Services Institute highlighted that indigenous cruise missile production would complement Ukraine's current drone usage. He noted the SCALP's precision warhead and high impact speed offer superior destructive power against fortified structures compared to drones.

This development follows the UK's earlier provision of Storm Shadow missiles in 2023, which enabled Ukrainian forces to strike targets behind Russian lines and in occupied Crimea. The UK is also exploring new ground-based strike systems with longer ranges, further diversifying its support for Ukraine's offensive capabilities.

Ukraine, if it can produce its own cruise missiles, will be able to compensate for the current widespread use of drones.

— Matthew SavillDiscussing the strategic advantages of domestic cruise missile production.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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