The Telegraph
British long-range missiles ‘could help Ukraine disrupt Russian navy’
Joe Barnes – February 23, 2023
British long-range missiles would give Ukraine the ability to disrupt Russian logistical chains and push its naval forces more than 80 miles from the coast, say analysts.
As Rishi Sunak urges his Western partners to send longer-range capabilities to Kyiv, discussions are underway in London over whether Harpoon anti-ship missiles or air-to-surface Storm Shadows could be donated to Kyiv.
The Prime Minister personally pledged to send long-range missiles to Kyiv when Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, visited London recently, but did not make clear what those would be.
Ukraine has been gifted US-made Himars and M270 multi-launch rocket systems with a range of 50 miles.
Kyiv’s armed forces have used them to superb effect to force Russian logistics away from the frontline, making it harder for Moscow to supply any advances.
But Mr Zelensky has made the delivery of longer-range weapons a priority in order to hit targets even deeper behind enemy lines as part of his conversations with Western leaders.
Storm Shadow, the RAF’s long-range cruise missile, would deliver that desired effect.
The weapon costs about £2.2 million and can be fired from a fighter jet at targets as far as 350 miles away, although they can be modified to have significantly shorter range.
“The Storm Shadow opens up access to a range of logistics targets not least across the south, dramatically complicating the task for Russian air defenders,” said Justin Crump, of Sibylline, an intelligence and geopolitical risk firm.
“If nothing else, this will force them further to scatter their supply lines and reconsider how best to defend against the threat.”
Ukraine has suggested it could use such a missile to strike Russian targets in occupied Crimea, which some Western governments have privately expressed discomfort at because it could trigger Moscow to escalate the conflict.
Anti-ship missile ‘key’
Another long-range weapon in Britain’s arsenal that could be headed to Ukraine is the Harpoon.
The anti-ship missile could be key in preventing any future amphibious attacks by Russian forces, but also disrupt its Black Sea Fleet from firing their own cruise missiles.
Sea-skimming Harpoons cost £1.2 million each and have a range of around 80 miles when used by the Royal Navy, but some suggest that could be extended to 150 miles.
Mr Crump said: “It remains remarkable that a nation with at best a limited navy has been able to achieve such maritime effects, and Harpoon will further increase the threat to Russian vessels engaged in Kalibr cruise missile launches from the Black Sea.
“This will push Russian surface operations 80 miles offshore – and almost completely close down any potential amphibious operation against Odesa, although that is arguably already a dim and distant memory at this stage.”