France to send "Chrysalis" SCALP missiles to bolster Ukraine's defense
Paris will transfer 40 long-range cruise missiles SCALP to Ukraine – reports Bulgarian Military, citing the French journal RFI. The plan involves sending weapons currently stored in so-called cocoons, older and disassembled models.
The French currently have several types of missiles in their arsenal. New ammunition is primarily available and stored in warehouses. Older models, which technically do not meet today's technological standards but are kept in good condition for potential defense or attack purposes, are also available.
Bulgarian Military also explains that the French stocks include "cocoons". These are essentially disassembled missiles kept in appropriate containers, with selected elements removed to be used in other specimens. Such equipment usually comprises older missiles, which, if necessary, can be reassembled and deployed for military actions. However, this requires proper preparation.
It is these "cocoons" that France intends to send to Ukraine. The program’s name – "Chrysalis" (Fr. pupa) is also significant, symbolizing the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly, as explained by RFI.
Old SCALP missiles for Ukraine
The French contribution will not significantly affect Paris' arsenal of SCALP missiles. The military will retain combat-ready weapons that can be deployed at any moment for defence. Ukraine will receive equipment that requires proper preparation before it can be utilised, ensuring that Paris's defensive capabilities in case of a potential threat remain intact.
However, the SCALP missiles, numbering as many as 40 for Ukraine, represent precious support. The defending forces already utilize this weapon, proving its effectiveness at the front. This British-French weapon (SCALP/Storm Shadow) boasts a range of about 310 miles for the version intended for the producing countries. For the export version, this has been reduced to around 186 miles. Moreover, SCALPs are difficult to detect – they employ stealth technology, making it hard for enemy interception systems to neutralize them, a testament to the collaboration between Great Britain and France.
A single SCALP missile weighs approximately 1300 kg, with the warhead weighing about 500 kg. It is composed of two parts: a small, shaped charge designed to breach the target and a penetrating warhead with a delay of up to 240 ms. SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles are also resistant to jamming, and their maximum speed reaches about 0.9 Mach (over 1100 km/h).
