The UK will expand production of Storm Shadow cruise missiles at MBDA’s Stevenage site under a new missile cooperation pact with France, announced during President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit.
The initiative is part of a wider agreement to jointly develop the next generation of deep-strike and anti-ship missiles to replace Storm Shadow, sustaining 1,300 skilled jobs across the UK.
Described as an “Entente Industrielle,” the refreshed missile partnership also includes investment in emerging technologies such as microwave weapons, radiofrequency jammers, and AI-enabled targeting systems. More than 300 jobs will be supported directly through the expanded Storm Shadow production lines.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the agreement a deepening of long-standing Franco-British defence cooperation. “As close partners and NATO allies, the UK and France have a deep history of defence collaboration and today’s agreements take our partnership to the next level,” he said.
He added that the new missile work was about “using our shared might to advance joint capabilities while supporting thousands of UK jobs.”
Defence Secretary John Healey said the programme represented a strategic shift. “We are committed to driving defence as an engine for growth, delivering better fighting capabilities faster,” he said. “This partnership strengthens our leadership in Europe and sends a clear signal to our adversaries that we stand stronger, together.”
The missile cooperation is part of a broader defence reset under an updated Lancaster House agreement, which also includes closer integration of nuclear deterrence policies. For the first time, Britain and France have agreed that their independent nuclear arsenals could be coordinated in response to an “extreme threat to Europe.”
In parallel, the two countries will build out a Combined Joint Force with cyber and space capabilities and improve interoperability of NATO air and missile defence systems through the UK-led DIAMOND initiative.
The Storm Shadow missile has played a pivotal role in the Ukraine conflict, allowing long-range precision strikes against Russian military targets. The upgraded production capacity in Stevenage will help replenish UK stockpiles and ensure readiness ahead of Storm Shadow’s successor coming into service.
What happened to the ‘US jets land on British aircraft carrier article’?
Apart from that, I assume these missiles will form part of the 7000 being procured. They’ve worked well in Ukraine and are sovereign Franco-British systems, so it’s seems like a no-brainer.
#Day26
As I write Wednesday 9th at 15.20 local) the first Wedgetail WT001 is out over the Western Approaches at 33,000 ft. Some sort of progress, hopefully. Didn’t know where else to post this!
That is very interesting and hopefully hopeful….we hope….
S500 shot down storm shadows in Ukraine ,not that good then .
Storm Shadows have been battering the ruzzians. One will get shot down once in a while.
I think SS have proven their value
Unfortunate acronym, maybe avoid that one in the future.
SS (storm shadow) yes take your point leh
Not to mention the many Storm Shadows / SCALP that the Russians successfully destroyed with the Black Seas Fleet HQ building, the Kilo class submarine Rostov on Don, Landing Ship Mink and various command bunkers.