France To Send Ukraine Long-Range SCALP Missiles Subject To Disposal

Each such missile will cost several times less than a new one.

France has found a way to help Ukraine with ammunition without emptying its own reserves. In particular, we are talking about long-range SCALP missiles.

We are talking about the transfer to Ukraine of missiles that have expired or assembled from expired components within the framework of the Chrysalis program. DW writes about this with reference to a message from Radio France Internationale (RFI).

According to RFI, for the Chrysalis program (the name translates as “butterfly pupa”) they plan to use Scalp missiles stored in special “cocoon” containers. As a rule, two types of missiles are stored this way: unused ones with an expired shelf life and dismantled ones from which components have been removed for use in other Scalp missiles.

“The missiles stored in “cocoons” will be delivered to French factories, where they will be made usable in three months,” DW notes.

Since the Ukrainian army needed these missiles “yesterday,” the tests will be carried out according to a simplified scheme so that they will be at the disposal of the Ukrainian military as soon as possible.

“One of RFI’s sources called this plan very effective in economic terms, “since the Scalp missiles removed from the cocoons are already intended for disposal,” the publication noted.

The channel's sources claim that in this way each missile will cost four times less than one produced from scratch.

Journalists also clarified that the launch of the Chrysalis program approximately coincided with the announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron of plans to transfer 40 Scalp missiles to Ukraine. Both events date back to January of this year.

The Chrysalis program is planned to be completed this year.