UK Secretary of Defence reveals Italy's contribution of Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine.

In a disclosure by the UK's Secretary of Defence, Grant Shapps, Italy has been revealed as one of the nations aiding Ukraine by supplying Storm Shadow/SCALP EG cruise missiles. Alongside France and the UK, Italy's involvement marks a significant development in the support for Ukraine's defense efforts.
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Two Storm Shadow missiles on a Tornado GR4. (Picture source: UK MoD)

Shapps cited during an interview with The Times, "It’s the UK, France, and Italy positioning those weapons for use, particularly in Crimea. These weapons are making a very significant difference."

Italy is reported to have indeed delivered Storm Shadow missiles to the Ukrainian armed forces. While this revelation marks the first acknowledgment of Italy's contribution in this manner, the Italian government has maintained discretion on such matters, following its typical approach to sensitive defense transactions.

Italy's commitment to Ukraine's defense was highlighted by the authorization of significant exports valued at 417 million euros in 2023, with further extensions approved by the Parliament for the year 2024. Despite the classified nature of the weaponry involved, details have surfaced through Ukrainian sources, shedding light on Italy's substantial support to Ukraine.

The Storm Shadow is a long-range air-launched cruise missile designed for use in a variety of operational scenarios. With a weight of 1,300 kg, it offers excellent striking capability while remaining relatively lightweight for transport by a range of aircraft. Several countries, including France, the UK, Italy, and Egypt, are among its users.

Featuring a range of 560 km for the standard version and 250 km for the export version, the Storm Shadow is capable of reaching distant targets with remarkable precision. Its propulsion system, a Turbomeca Microturbo TRI 60-30 turbojet, enables it to achieve speeds of up to 1000 km/h, or Mach 0.8 to 0.95, depending on altitude.

The missile is equipped with a 450-kilogram BROACH warhead, designed to penetrate enemy defenses and inflict significant damage. Its guidance system combines inertial, GPS, and TERPROM technologies, offering exceptional navigation precision. Additionally, it features terminal guidance using a DSMAC imaging infrared system, ensuring increased accuracy during target approach. In terms of dimensions, the Storm Shadow measures 5.1 meters in length, with a diameter of 0.48 meters and a wingspan of 3.0 meters.

Operated primarily by the Italian Air Force, the Storm Shadow missile has been used in various theaters of operations, including the 2011 Libya Air War. Its integration with platforms such as the Tornado IDS and the Eurofighter Typhoon demonstrates its versatility and adaptability to different aircraft. In Ukraine, the deployment of Storm Shadow missiles by the Ukrainian Air Force Su-24 Fencer signifies an enhancement of the country's defensive capabilities.

Despite the challenges, Shapps urged Germany to reconsider its position on supplying Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Citing the success of similar weapons provided by France, the UK, and Italy, Shapps emphasized the potential impact of German support in bolstering Ukraine's defense.

Defense News April 2024