Why in news?
During the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe, Ukraine reportedly used UK‑supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike a Russian chemical plant in Bryansk. The attack demonstrated the missile’s ability to penetrate air defences and reignited discussion about long‑range stand‑off weapons.
Background
The Storm Shadow is a long‑range, air‑launched cruise missile developed jointly by the United Kingdom and France in the 1990s. Manufactured by MBDA Systems, it is known as SCALP EG in French service. The missile is designed to destroy high‑value stationary targets such as airbases, radar sites and command facilities without exposing the launch aircraft to enemy air defences.
Design and features
- Dimensions and propulsion: The missile is just over 5 metres long, has a wingspan of about 3 metres and weighs roughly 1,300 kg. A turbojet engine propels it at subsonic speeds (around Mach 0.8), allowing low‑altitude flight.
- Warhead: It carries a 450 kg BROACH penetrator/blast warhead capable of punching through hardened structures before detonating.
- Range: Export variants have a range of more than 250 km, while versions used by the UK and France can reportedly exceed 500 km. The extended range allows aircraft to launch from outside hostile air‑defence coverage.
- Guidance: The missile uses inertial navigation and GPS for mid‑course guidance, terrain‑following radar to hug the ground and an imaging infrared seeker with automatic target recognition in the terminal phase. These systems enable high accuracy and reduce the chance of interception.
- Platform compatibility: Storm Shadow/SCALP can be fitted to a range of aircraft, including the Rafale, Mirage 2000, Eurofighter Typhoon, Tornado and Saudi F‑15. India’s air force has integrated the French SCALP variant into its Rafale jets, boosting its deep‑strike capability.
Significance
Stand‑off missiles like Storm Shadow represent a shift towards precision warfare where aircraft can engage strategic targets without risking pilots. Their use in Ukraine illustrates both the changing nature of modern conflict and the challenges for air‑defence systems. For India, possessing such a missile enhances deterrence and provides greater flexibility in responding to threats.
Source: Oneindia · Storm Shadow – Wikipedia