Seeing the current U.S. administration’s policies strain relations with allies, European nations are starting to pay more attention to domestic alternatives to American weapon systems, particularly in aviation and air defense.
For example, in the realm of long-range missile systems, the closest European counterpart to the Tomahawk would be the French Scalp Naval, otherwise known as Missile de Croisière Naval (MdCN) or Naval Cruise Missile — a shipborne conventional cruise missile with a range of 1,000 km, derived from the air-launched SCALP-EG. However, its availability for export remains an open question.
Though related to SCALP-EG, it’s different in both appearance and capabilities, as presented in the above infographic. Side note, the Scalp Naval’s shape redesign is explained by the need for it to fit into 533-mm torpedo tubes and vertical launch systems on warships
There is no public data of any Scalp Naval exports so far. Reports suggest only the French Navy ordered around 200 units in total.
Just the other day, however, the Greek defense outlet OnAlert reported that Greece is considering acquiring Scalp Naval missiles as part of a larger underwater fleet modernization. These missiles would equip the country’s German-built Type 214 submarines, which currently operate the Harpoon anti-ship missile.
While details remain scarce, Greece’s interest already tells a lot, and given the long-standing Franco-Greek defense partnership, France’s response to this request will be indicative if Paris really can step up and offer a viable alternative to practically unrivaled Tomahawk.
One might argue that France itself only recently integrated Scalp Naval into its arsenal, and it’s far from assuming such an important role. Despite the program beginning in the early 2000s, the missile’s first test launches only began in 2011, initial operational capability was declared in 2015, and full operational capability was demonstrated only in 2020.
However, the project is already in full swing, with MBDA having recently presented the results of its Land Cruise Missile program — a Scalp Naval repurposed for land-based platforms, unveiled at the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition last June.
Ultimately, Europe’s ability to achieve strategic autonomy in long-range strike capabilities depends in part on France’s readiness to export its domestically produced alternatives to the Tomahawk.