UK, France partner on missile upgrade
A £146 million contract awarded to MBDA will see the UK's Storm Shadow and France's SCALP missiles updated to ensure they remain fit for purpose, the UK Ministry of Defence announced on 22 February.
Storm Shadow is a combat-proven, long-range, precision cruise missile in service with Royal Air Force Tornados.
The shared midlife refurbishment programme deal with MDBA will sustain the missile until its planned out of service date in 2032.
The French government will be updating its own similar SCALP missile; according to the MoD the collaboration will deliver £50 million in savings for both the UK and France.
The regeneration will consist of a midlife refurbishment of current missile parts including the turbo-jet engine, an upgrade of the navigational system, and a like for like replacement of items such as the cabling, seals and gaskets.
Tony Douglas, chief executive at the MoD's Defence Equipment and Support Organisation, said: 'The contract to regenerate Storm Shadow, a combat-proven, all-weather precision missile, provides a clear example of the MoD and UK industry working effectively together with our counterparts in France; providing our UK armed forces with the best equipment possible…'
More from Defence Notes
-
![Rheinmetall sales up by almost a quarter on wave of German spending]()
Rheinmetall sales up by almost a quarter on wave of German spending
Germany’s Rheinmetall released its 1H 2025 results on 7 August, continuing the strong growth of recent years. A particular highlight of the result’s presentation was the Skyranger air defence system for which the company is predicting sales of about US$8.2 billion from the German Government before the end of the year.
-
![Defence companies continue to ride procurement wave]()
Defence companies continue to ride procurement wave
Vehicle and technology companies are reporting substantial growth compared to the first half of 2024. Italy’s Fincantieri saw revenues jump 24% for the first half of the year compared to 2024 and Thales up 6.8% for the same period. General Dynamics reported second quarter revenue growth of 8.9% for the second quarter compared to last year and MilDef reported organic order intake growth of 58%.
-
![Singapore plots a way forward with new technology and formation reform]()
Singapore plots a way forward with new technology and formation reform
Singapore spends about 3.5% of GDP on defence and the section’s budget sits on high on the proportion of national spending. The country is investing in uncrewed technology, medium- and long-range fires and new submarines and ships with the hunt also on for new maritime patrol aircraft.
-
![World Defense Show promises bigger and better event for 2026]()
World Defense Show promises bigger and better event for 2026
At this year's IDEF in Istanbul, Shephard spoke to World Defense Show (WDS) CEO Andrew Pearcey about his event's strategic role in Saudi Arabia, its themes and new features for 2026 and how it has grown since its launch in 2022.
