France restarts production of MdCN cruise missiles to bolster its naval power.

The defense conglomerate MBDA has officially restarted the production line for the MdCN (Missile de Croisière Naval) cruise missile to supply the French Navy. This decision comes as the French Ministry of Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs is updating its military planning program (LPM) to enhance long-range combat capabilities.

According to Le Marin, the MdCN missile production line has resumed operations after a temporary suspension since 2021 due to the completion of previous orders. The development program for this weapon was initiated by MBDA in 2006 and officially entered service in 2017. The exact number of missiles expected to be produced in this new batch has not yet been disclosed.

Combat capabilities of the MdCN system

The MdCN missile, also known as SCALP Naval, is the primary strike weapon for the FREMM-class multi-purpose destroyers. With a range of up to 1,000 km, this system allows the French Navy to conduct precision strikes on strategic targets deep inland from a safe distance at sea.

In addition to surface ships, the MdCN is also deployed on the most modern nuclear-powered Suffren-class attack submarines. A unique design feature is that the missile can be launched via vertical launch systems (VLS) on warships or through the torpedo tubes of submarines when placed in specialized containers.

Technological inheritance and strategic autonomy

Technically, the MdCN is the naval version of the well-known SCALP-EG missile, which is used on fighter aircraft. In the UK, this similar weapon is known as the Storm Shadow. Before the MdCN, the French Navy relied primarily on air-launched versions.

The move to restart MdCN production is strategically important, helping the French military maintain independent long-range strike capabilities without relying on the US Tomahawk missile system. This contributes to strengthening the self-reliance in defense for both France and the European region.