French Arms Licenses for Ukraine May Conceal SCALP Deliveries

French Arms Licenses May Mask SCALP Missile Deliveries

00:05 19-07-2026

Ilya Kramnik says French arms licenses for Ukraine could mask larger deliveries of ready-made SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles and deepen the conflict with Russia.

Add Военное дело to your preferred Google sources

Talk of granting Ukraine licenses to manufacture French weapons may serve as cover for Paris to increase shipments of ready-made SCALP/Storm Shadow long-range missiles, Russian International Affairs Council expert Ilya Kramnik told NEWS.ru.

Kramnik said the direct transfer of such missiles carries serious risks for European countries because it would amount to the direct involvement of Kiev’s Western partners in the conflict with Russia.

In his assessment, presenting the deliveries as weapons produced in Ukraine could allow European governments to bypass that issue. He warned that such a move would further escalate the conflict.

Earlier, Serbian President Alexander Vucic said European countries were continuing to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities through both equipment deliveries and joint defense projects.