Sandher-Jones says Ukrainian Storm Shadow production remains distant

Ukraine remains far from producing SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missiles itself because of the systems’ complexity, British armed forces minister Louise Sandher-Jones said in a Le Figaro interview reported by RIA Novosti on 9 October.

Asked whether Ukraine could manufacture the missiles, Sandher-Jones pointed to the weapons’ technical complexity. She did not specify when such production might begin.

She said the two sides were examining projects that could be implemented more quickly, including capabilities for medium-range strikes. Her comments described other areas of cooperation alongside discussions about SCALP/Storm Shadow.

The interview appeared in Le Figaro’s 9 October edition. The newspaper said Sandher-Jones, who previously served in the military, joined Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government in June.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova had earlier criticised British plans to help Kyiv produce the missiles. She said the policy brought London closer to official involvement in the conflict. That was the Russian side’s assessment.