What to Expect From New Neptune 2 Cruise Missile if Ukraine Cooperates With MBDA
Ukraine is working with MBDA to develop the Neptune-2 cruise missile to enhance deep-strike reach. Kyiv is also in talks with France and MBDA for licensed SCALP missile production. MBDA has introduced AI software to reduce mission planning time from hours to minutes.
What changed
New reports indicate negotiations for SCALP production and the introduction of MBDA AI routing software.
Live updates
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Ukraine and MBDA Advance Long-Range Strike Capabilities
confidence 80%Ukraine is working with MBDA to develop the Neptune-2 cruise missile to enhance deep-strike reach. Kyiv is also in talks with France and MBDA for licensed SCALP missile production. MBDA has introduced AI software to reduce mission planning time from hours to minutes.
What's confirmed:
- MBDA and Ukraine's Luch Design Bureau signed a memorandum of understanding on June 16, 2026, to develop the Neptune-2 cruise missile.
- MBDA developed AI software that reduces cruise missile mission planning from hours to minutes.
Still unconfirmed:
- Ukraine is negotiating licensed production of the SCALP cruise missile with France and MBDA.
- Ukraine has expanded long-range strikes into Russia using Flamingo and upgraded Neptune missiles.
- A missile with a 2000 km range is being considered as an alternative to Taurus.
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MBDA and Luch Design Bureau Partner for Neptune-2 Missile
confidence 90%European manufacturer MBDA and Ukraine's Luch Design Bureau signed a memorandum of understanding on June 16, 2026. The partnership focuses on the development of the Neptune-2 cruise missile. This project aims to improve long-range and deep-strike capabilities.
What's confirmed:
- MBDA and the Luch Design Bureau signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the creation of the Neptune-2 cruise missile.
- The Neptune-2 is a new version of the Neptune cruise missile.
Still unconfirmed:
- MBDA proposes using artificial intelligence to accelerate cruise missile mission planning via its FastTrack system.
- Ukraine is making progress in creating modern cruise missiles to influence the course of the war.
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MBDA and Luch Design Bureau Partner to Develop Neptune-2 Cruise Missile
confidence 95%European manufacturer MBDA and Ukraine's Luch Design Bureau signed a memorandum of understanding on June 16, 2026, to create the Neptune-2 cruise missile. The partnership aims to enhance deep-strike and long-range capabilities. The project links a Western prime contractor with the bureau that built the missile used against the cruiser Moskva.
What's confirmed:
- MBDA and the Luch Design Bureau signed a memorandum of understanding on June 16, 2026, to develop the Neptune-2 cruise missile.
- The partnership was announced during the Eurosatory defense exhibition.
- The project focuses on strengthening deep-strike and long-range capabilities for Ukraine.
- MBDA is the manufacturer of the Storm Shadow cruise missile.
Still unconfirmed:
- The UK is developing low-cost long-range missile prototypes for Ukraine under Project Brakestop without US components.
- Britain may deliver first units of a newly tested long-range missile system to Ukraine within a year.
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MBDA and Luch Partner to Develop Neptune-2 Cruise Missile
confidence 100%European missile maker MBDA signed a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine's Luch Design Bureau on June 16, 2026. The companies will jointly develop the Neptune-2 cruise missile to improve deep-strike and long-range capabilities. MBDA is also known for producing Storm Shadow missiles.
What's confirmed:
- MBDA signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ukrainian Luch Design Bureau on June 16, 2026.
- The partnership aims to develop the Neptune-2 cruise missile.
- MBDA produces Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
- The Neptune-2 is intended for deep-strike and long-range capabilities.
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MBDA and Luch Partner to Develop Neptune-2 Cruise Missile
confidence 90%European defense firm MBDA is collaborating with the Ukrainian State Design Bureau Luch on the Neptune-2. The project focuses on creating deep strike capabilities through disruptive innovation. This partnership follows a memorandum of understanding signed on June 16, 2026.
What's confirmed:
- MBDA and the Ukrainian State Design Bureau Luch signed a memorandum of understanding on June 16, 2026, to develop the Neptune-2 cruise missile.
- The collaboration aims to develop deep strike capabilities for the Neptune-2.
- MBDA produces the Brimstone and Storm Shadow missiles.
Still unconfirmed:
- The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine demonstrated a previously unknown version of the Neptune cruise missile to a Lithuanian delegation.
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MBDA and Luch Partner to Develop Neptune-2 Cruise Missile
confidence 95%The European defense company MBDA signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ukrainian State Design Bureau Luch to develop the Neptune-2 cruise missile. The agreement was announced on June 16, 2026, during the Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris. This collaboration aims to enhance Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities.
What's confirmed:
- MBDA and the Ukrainian State Design Bureau Luch signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the Neptune-2 cruise missile.
- The agreement was made public during the Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris on June 16, 2026.
- MBDA is a multi-national European group specializing in complex weapon systems.
- MBDA and Diehl are pursuing collaborations with Ukraine as Europe seeks sovereign alternatives to U.S. long-range weapons.
Still unconfirmed:
- The developer of the Storm Shadow missiles announced assistance to Kiev for strikes against Russia.
- An upgraded land-attack version of the Neptune missile can fly three times farther than the original anti-ship variant with a warhead 110 kilograms heavier.
- The R-360 Neptune missile has been upgraded with extended range.