Storm Shadow maker to help Ukraine develop new Neptune-2 missile
Ukrainian Neptune missile (Photo: facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua)
The manufacturer of Storm Shadow cruise missiles — the European company MBDA — has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ukrainian enterprise Luch regarding the development of the NEPTUNE2 cruise missile, according to a statement by MBDA.
What the agreement entails
The memorandum of understanding between MBDA and Luch provides for joint work on innovative solutions for long-range strike capabilities within the NEPTUNE2 project — a further development of the already known Ukrainian Neptune cruise missile.
"This further collaboration with a Ukrainian company in the field of deep strike underlines MBDA’s contribution to supporting Ukraine," the company said in a statement.
Who signed the agreement
MBDA is a European leader in complex missile systems and the manufacturer of the Storm Shadow cruise missile, which is already being used by Ukraine. The company states that it has the technologies, expertise, and international partnerships to develop modern strike systems.
Luch is a Ukrainian enterprise specialising in the design, development, and production of complex weapons systems. It is Luch that developed the Neptune missile, which sank the Russian cruiser Moskva in 2022.
Why this matters
The agreement strengthens strategic defense cooperation between Ukraine and Europe and paves the way for the creation of a new generation of European-developed long-range missiles based on Ukrainian technologies.
The company Fire Point has fully completed work on the FP-7.x anti-ballistic missile and has already conducted tests. The company's founder, Shtilerman, previously stated that the FP-7 and FP-9 would become Ukrainian analogues of the American ATACMS, but at half the cost.
Domestic developments are gaining particular importance due to the shortage of foreign ammunition. The Air Force has reported a critical shortage of missiles for the Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T systems; in some units, ammunition stocks are nearly depleted.
