The Storm Shadow is a low-observable air-launched cruise missile with a range of almost 200 miles.
The United Kingdom has transferred additional Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine.
The advanced air-launched munitions can strike targets with precision deep behind the frontlines. In addition, London completed the transfer of nearly 100 howitzers to the Ukrainian forces.
Storm Shadows and Howitzers for Ukraine
According to reports, the UK recently shipped additional Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine.
The Storm Shadow is a low-observable air-launched cruise missile with a range of almost 200 miles. Designed and produced by the UK and France, the Storm Shadow is ideal for precision strikes. The munition packs a 450 kg. (about 1,000 lbs) warhead and reaches speeds of nearly Mach 1 (770 miles per hour).
London first approved the transfer of Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine in May 2023. France has also provided its version of the munition, the SCALP-EG, to Ukraine.
London sent the advanced munitions to Kyiv to ensure that the Ukrainian military maintains a potent long-range precision offensive capability as winter sets in. As temperatures fall, the Russian military is extremely likely to increase its long-range attacks against Ukrainian critical infrastructure and energy targets with the aim of depriving the civilian population of basic goods. Moscow has followed the same strategy every winter. Additional Storm Shadow munitions will allow the Ukrainian Air Force to threaten retaliation deep behind the front lines.
In addition, the British military confirmed that it transferred all of its AS 90 155mm self-propelled howitzers to the Ukrainian forces and no longer operates the weapon. At the start of the conflict, the British Army had 99 AS 90s. Now, they are in Ukrainian service, providing much-needed artillery support to frontline troops.
Pioneering Security Aid to Ukraine
The UK has pioneered military aid to Ukraine in many ways. To be sure, it is the United States that has provided the most, with the total US security assistance to Ukraine since the start of the war nearing $70 billion. And other countries, including Sweden, Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and France, among other nations, have provided key military capabilities to the Ukrainian forces. But the UK has often been the first to provide certain weapon systems, thus paving the way for other countries to follow suit.
For example, in the winter and spring of 2023, there was an intense debate among NATO capitals about whether Ukraine should receive main battle tanks. The concern was that such a transfer would provoke Russia into more extreme measures. Indeed, many feared that the Kremlin might resort to a tactical nuclear strike against Ukraine. The debate was most intense between Washington and Berlin. Germany manufactures the Leopard main battle tank, which many European countries use. And countries needed Berlin’s approval before they could transfer their Leopards to Ukraine. Months and weeks passed in a diplomatic and political stalemate. Then, in January 2023, the UK broke that stalemate by committing a squadron of Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine. Soon thereafter, the United States committed M1 Abrams tanks, and Germany gave the green light for other countries to transfer Leopards to Ukraine. Today, the Ukrainian military uses scores of NATO main battle tanks.
The tank saga is just one example of how the UK has stepped up to help Ukraine while others have wavered. The Storm Shadow cruise missiles are another instance of London sending to Ukraine an advanced capability while other NATO countries debated about it.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
Image: Davidsmith2014 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
