What is Storm Shadow Missile?

Sept. 13, 2024

The United Kingdom has reportedly given clearance for Ukraine to use Storm Shadow cruise missiles to target Russian territories.

About Storm Shadow Missile:

  • It is a low-observable, long-range air-launched cruise missile.
  • It is jointly developed by the United Kingdom and France.
  • 'Storm Shadow' is the weapon's British name, while in France it is called the SCALP-EG.
  • The missile is intended to strike high-value stationary assets such as airbases, radar installations, communications hubs, and port facilities. 
  • It is also in service with the air forces of Egypt, India, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 
  • Features:
    • It has a range of around 500 km.
    • The missile weighs 1,300 kilos and is armed with conventional explosives.
    • It is around five metres long and has a wingspan of three metres.
    • The missile is launched from aircraft, flying close to the speed of sound while hugging the terrain before descending and detonating its high-explosive warhead.
    • It makes use of inertial navigation, GPS, and terrain referencing to fly low, which stops it from being seen.
    • The missile also makes use of an infrared camera to match up the target with a stored picture.
    • Each missile costs around $1 million.