UK Provides Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles to Ukraine
The UK has become the first country to provide Ukraine with medium range cruise missiles. Reports this morning suggested Britain had provided Storm Shadow missiles. The UK government has subsequently confirmed the transfer.
Storm Shadow is an air-launched cruise missile with a reported range of 250-300km. Characterised by its accuracy, Storm Shadow also has a sophisticated warhead: the Bomb, Royal Ordnance, Augmenting CHarge (BROACH). The 450 kg (990 lb) BROACH warhead uses a precursor penetrator charge followed by a follow-through main charge to penetrate hardened shelters and structures.
Ben Wallace, UK Defense Secretary, addressed the UK’s Parliament saying:
“Today, I can confirm that the UK has donated Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine. Storm Shadow is a long-range conventional precision strike capability. It compliments the long-range systems already gifted, including HIMARS and Harpoon missiles, as well as Ukraine’s own Neptune cruise missiles and longer-range munitions already gifted…Russia must recognise their actions alone have led to such systems being provided to Ukraine. It is my judgement as Defence Secretary that this is a calibrated, proportionate response to Russia’s escalations.”
Britain’s Royal Air Force used Storm Shadow operationally for the first time in 2003 during Operation Telic, the invasion of Iraq. Wallace revealed that engineers have adapted Ukrainian aircraft to launch the missiles. Wallace told Parliament that it hadn’t been easy to incorporate the missile on a former Soviet aircraft. He said “that has been one of the reasons for the time… working out if it is technically feasible, and I would like to pay tribute to our scientists & technicians.” There was some speculation that the missiles might be adapted for ground launch like the Brimstone missiles the UK has previously provided.
With Ukraine planning major counter-offensive operations Storm Shadow will provide a much needed longer-range asset to strike at high-value Russian targets behind the lines.
Storm Shadow has an out of service date of 2030 and is set to be replaced by the Future Cruise and Anti-Ship Weapon (FCASW) underdevelopment by MBDA.
Header Image: An RAF Typhoon with Storm Shadows at RAF Marham (Simon Armstrong/UK MOD Crown copyright)