What Happened
European Defense Politics Complicate Ukraine Arms Procurement
A report by The Telegraph claims that France has opposed an EU plan to allow Ukraine to use EU-backed loans to buy British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Ukraine’s defense officials estimate they will need €24 billion in military equipment from outside the EU in 2026, driven mainly by demand for US-made Patriot air defense systems. The European Commission proposed a €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan for 2026-27, with €60 billion for defense-related spending. The draft regulation prioritizes manufacturers established in the EU, EEA-EFTA states, or Ukraine, but allows derogations for urgent needs. The Storm Shadow missile, developed by MBDA, is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile for precision strikes. According to AeroTime, France has an EU industrial route for the missile through MBDA’s Selles-Saint-Denis site.