Analysts and military experts who spoke to ‘Sky News Arabia’ believe that Britain’s decision to send ‘cruise’ missiles could open a door similar to the later sending of European long-range missiles or of American “Atkams” systems, which could contribute to the outbreak of the conflict with Moscow and increase the opportunities for Ukraine in its counterattack.
Over the past few months, Kiev has sought to obtain long-range missiles to hit Russian forces, logistics centers and air force bases deep behind the front line, but the United States refrained from supplying tactical systems such as the tactical missile system known as “Atakms”, which is a “ground-to-ground” system, for fear that Ukraine would launch cross-border strikes with Russia, which could lead to an escalation of the conflict.
In addition, the allies have also resisted calls from Kiev to send in fighter jets, while Britain took a different stance, when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged last February that his country would become the first country to send long-range missiles to Kiev.
American fears
• The White House has refrained from supplying Ukraine with similar long-range “Atakms” missiles, which can be installed on “HIMARS” systems, despite continued Ukrainian pressure.
• Britain’s ‘The Guardian’ newspaper quoted a US official commenting on London’s decision to supply ‘Storm Shadow’ missiles to Kiev, saying that ‘each country makes its own sovereign decisions’ regarding the weapons it will supply to the Ukraine.
• Pentagon officials have already told Kiev officials that the US does not have a surplus of ‘Atakms’ missile systems until it is supplied to Ukraine, according to ‘Politico’ newspaper .
• US concern stems from the possibility of Ukraine using these missile systems to deeply target Russian territory, crossing what the Kremlin has described as a “red line”.
• Ukrainian leaders have said Kyiv still lacks the vital weapons needed to successfully counterattack, including these long-range missiles.
• British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace stressed that the United States was “incredibly supportive” of his country’s decision to send “Storm Shadow” missiles, pointing out that “Atkams” missiles are different from ” Storm Shadow” designed to be able to hit the ground. defense works.
special abilities
• “Atakmz” is a tactical ballistic missile, entered into service in the early 1990s, and operating in 4 countries, led by the United States and South Korea.
• A long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile that can be launched from mobile platforms such as the M270 missile launchers.
• It is used to hit ground targets that conventional artillery units cannot hit.
• The range of the missile is 300 kilometers and it has been used in a number of areas, including the war in Afghanistan and the war in Iraq.
• Its maximum speed exceeds Mach 3, and the missile is guided by inertial navigation and with the aid of the global positioning system.
Dramatic effects
Former British Defense Attaché in Moscow John Foreman said that although Britain and the United States had long discussions about sending “Storm Shadow” missiles to Ukraine, there was no indication yet. that Washington will also send its long-range missiles.
He added: “If the United States were about to do that, they would have changed their position in anticipation of this announcement.”
Defense policy researcher Muhammad Hassan identified in an interview with Sky News Arabia the impact of British missiles supplied to Ukraine on a number of points, saying that:
• The “Storm Shadow” missiles will have major effects in the Ukrainian domain, and will never be less than the impact caused by the “HIMARS” tactical guided missile systems, but Russia has adapted to these systems and moved the ammunition and weapons stores 70 km back from the front lines in the Donbass, so we are witnessing qualitative Ukrainian operations with marches aimed at destroying these stores from time to time in the Donbass as well as in the Crimea.
• The new missile system will confuse the Russian defensive and offensive arsenal, given that the “Storm Shadow” is a long-range cruise missile, which can reach a range of about 500 kilometers, and is directed by satellites and can maneuver in harsh environment. electronic jamming environment, and its 450 kilogram warhead makes it deadly for fortifications and defensive sites.
• Previously, Western experts were able to install American “HARM” anti-radar missiles on Ukrainian “MiG” and “Sukhoi” fighters, and these missiles turned out to be very effective in targeting and destroying Russian air defense systems, and given the arrival of “Storm Missiles Shadow” to Ukraine, it is planned to operate on board MiG and Sukhoi fighters, and to operate in integration with American AMRAAM missiles.
• This gives Ukrainian forces a preferential advantage in “surgical” offensive strike capabilities, threatening ports and ships in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, as “Storm Shadow” missiles can target warships and destroy immediately.
• It is not inconceivable that the legacy of hostility between Britain and Russia will take a dangerous turn on Ukrainian lands, particularly off the Russian and Ukrainian Black Sea coasts, as the naval confrontation has always been a London favourite.
• There is a British desire to supply Ukraine with the most powerful weapons systems, because the “Storm Shadow” missiles were not the first, because London was previously the first country to supply Kiev with AMRAAM missiles medium range, and it also supplied the main battle tanks, and currently intends to supply depleted uranium ammunition to Ukraine. These weapons fit well into the huge Russian military arsenal and can overwhelm it and cause heavy casualties.
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