UK Missile Shipments to Ukraine Include Storm Shadow

LONDON – The United Kingdom has sent Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed to lawmakers on May 11, 2023. These long-range, air-launched missiles reportedly have a range surpassing 250 kilometers.

Wallace stated that the UK delivered the weapons after receiving assurances from the Ukrainian government that they would not use the missiles to target Russian territory. He characterized the provision of these missiles as a “calibrated and proportionate response” to Russia’s invasion.

Analysts have indicated that the Storm Shadow could enable Ukrainian forces to strike targets deeper behind Russian lines than their existing weaponry allows. Its range exceeds that of the U.S.-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), which has a range of approximately 80 kilometers, and the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), also supplied by the U.S.

The Storm Shadow missile, developed jointly by the UK and France, typically launches from aircraft such as the Tornado or Eurofighter Typhoon. Ukraine does not currently operate these specific aircraft types. Reports have suggested Ukraine has adapted its existing Soviet-era fighter jets, like the Su-24 'Fencer', to carry the missile. Footage released by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense in May 2023 appeared to show a Ukrainian Su-24 equipped with the missile.

The missile navigates using GPS during its initial flight phase and transitions to an infrared seeker for terminal guidance. This guidance system reportedly allows the missile to identify its target with accuracy, even if the target has moved from its pre-programmed coordinates. The Storm Shadow also carries a warhead designed to penetrate hardened targets before detonating.

Several countries, including France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Greece, also operate variants of this missile system. The UK previously used the Storm Shadow in conflicts in Iraq and Libya.