France is studying possibility of supplying "Scalp" missiles to Ukraine. Decision has not yet been made, - Le Monde
French President Emmanuel Macron hinted in his TV interview on the TF1 channel on Monday that France is studying the possibility of supplying Ukraine with long-range "Scalp" air-to-surface guided missiles.
This was reported by the French publication Le Monde on Wednesday, which was informed at the Elysee Palace that "all options are being studied" and that "it is not currently planned", Censor.NET informs with reference to "Interfax-Ukraine".
As noted, the Scalp (Long-Range Conventional Autonomous Cruise System) missile developed in the 1990s by the French company Matra and the British British Aerospace is an air-to-ground guided missile designed to hit stationary targets. Its official range is 250 km, but it can reach 500 or even 700 km depending on the version.
The publication noted that relevant considerations appeared after Great Britain announced on May 11 the supply of Storm Shadow missiles to Kyiv, an analogue of the French Scalp.
"As in the case of any aid to Ukraine, France is discussing with its Ukrainian and British partners the results of this aid, especially with regard to long-range missiles," Macron's entourage explained.
According to military analysts, the replenishment of the Ukrainian arsenal with these long-range missiles should enable the troops in Kyiv to prepare their next counteroffensive, announced in the winter and expected by the summer. Attacking strategic objects located far behind the front line with the help of missiles, drones or acts of sabotage makes it possible to disorganize and exhaust enemy forces.
As reported, Great Britain will begin the initial stage of training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 in the summer.
Censor.NET also wrote that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi and the President of France Emmanuel Macron during a meeting in Paris talked about the "peace formula", the creation of a "coalition of fighter jets" and further military assistance to Ukraine.
After the meeting with Zelensky, Macron said that France would give Ukraine missiles with a range that would "enable resistance."
