The UK has provided approximately 1,000 additional surface-to-air missiles to help counter the Russian threat to Ukrainian infrastructure, say the Ministry of Defence.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has announced that the UK will shortly complete the delivery of approximately 1,000 additional surface-to-air missiles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
They add here that this comes in response to Ukrainian requests for more air defence capabilities, and the missiles will play a vital role in the provision of air defence for Ukraine and the protection of its critical infrastructure, which is being continually targeted by Russia.
“The missiles can be used in conjunction with existing Armed Forces of Ukraine capabilities. The equipment consists of launchers and missiles and is capable of shooting down air targets, including Russian drones and cruise missiles.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:
“This commitment of hundreds more surface-to-air missiles continues our defensive support for Ukraine against Russian aggression – and will help Ukraine counter the threat from illegal targeting of critical national infrastructure.”
The announcement comes as Defence Secretary has today visited two training sites where over 7,400 Ukrainian recruits have been trained by UK forces alongside eight partner nations.
Ukrainian recruits leaving the UK will now be provided with extreme cold weather kits, announced by the Prime Minister today, including 25,000 set of extreme cold weather clothing, 20,000 sleeping bags and 150 insulated tents.
“The announcement comes in response to Ukrainian requests for more cold weather equipment. Ukraine’s troops continue to battle to liberate their country from Russian forces as winter rapidly approaches, when temperatures can sink to minus 20°C and below in parts of the country. Heavy duty sleeping bags and roll mats, combined with heated accommodation and personal winter clothing, will help to prevent cold-related injuries and ensure troops can operate effectively and efficiently.”
Brigadier Justin Stenhouse, Commander of the UK’s basic training for Ukrainian recruits said:
“We have equipped more than 9,000 Ukrainian recruits to ensure they have the necessary personal protective equipment, including helmet, body armour and webbing, to aid them in fighting against Russian aggression. The effort to support this from across the entire logistic community has been hugely impressive and no small undertaking. The Ukrainian recruits, many of whom have little to no military experience, have shown exemplary courage, resilience, and a desire to learn which is deeply humbling to observe. Our instructors have done an excellent job in training these recruits to live and fight using their new equipment and transforming them from civilians to soldiers in just five weeks.”
You can read more here.
Just shows how Russia has no chance in this war, Ukraine can mobilise nearly 1 million citizens and call on the equipment reserves of the worlds two richest continents combined.
25,000 sets of cold weather gear and 1000 MANPADS just when you need them. Meanwhile the Orcs don’t even have shoes for their conscripts.
Starting to look like Putin is giving up now, Russians announcing withdrawals in advance but Mad Vlad is letting the defence minister do it.
Genuinely at a loss as to what these could be.
My money’s on a mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4…
I’m certain it’s starstreak, 7,000 were built.
Agree Starstreak. Great anti helo/ fast jet destroyer
Yes and from what we read some months back it’s been/being updated now that Martlet, it’s little brother has reached developmental maturity the focus on which had delayed those updates.
Not very friendly, manpads should not force the troop to follow the target until hit.
You don’t have to keep the target perfectly aligned with the sights, just within a given area. It’s not ideal on the shoulder launched variant, but the Stormer HVM does it automatically with the EO/IR sensor. Combine that with it’s incredibly high speed, no missile warning, and mostly smokeless trail once the projectiles detach and usually the first sign you’re being shot at is when your aircraft splits in half.
That famous video that came out just after STARStreak was confirmed to be in Ukraine was incredible. One second there is an Mi-28 Havoc flying along, the next second it was like a sharp, invisible kitchen knife had come along and bisected it
Remember that while starstreak can be fired from the shoulder it’s more designed to operate from a mounting. IR missiles can be fulled by decoys or onboard lasers systems. Very difficult to fool the human eye ball and with a Mach 4 missile chasing you very difficult to get away. All in I see starstreak as a big improvement on Stinger but it’s also a very different weapon.
It would be good to have a fully autonomous fire and forget capability. Without the need for a human in the loop.
It flies at Mach 4. Troops are exposed for but a few seconds at most. Really not that bad given the missile is so fast and accurate and also little or no warning to the enemy aircraft.
Couldn’t it also be ASRAAM, since they work with the air defense systems given by the USm. Especially given the timing of the NASAMS been given over earlier this week.
ASRAAM has never been integrated with NASAMS. But it uses the same seeker and mounting/connections as AIM-9X so shouldn’t be too difficult in an austere integration. Should be some block IV going spare at the moment as Block VI production arrives, plus Australia might be able to send some over. Better suited as a SAM as well compared to AIM-9X, much faster acceleration and range.
From what’s been reported all Rapier destroyed late last year from September onwards, so very shortsighted but then that’s a British military tradition I guess, wait till the last minute to react.
What a waste and bad timing. Maybe they ey could have experimented with a modified Starstreak on the Rapier launchers. Who knows what might have been. Hope there are ER versions in the pipeline and replenishment of UK stocks. Even a separate naval mount (without 30mm) for 6x Starstreak could useful for our OPVs, RFAs, landing craft. The French have done a Mistral 2x mount which has been sold overseas. Why can’t we do the same and better?
Not sure how effective a Starstreak would be against a fast, low flying cruise missile. Doesn’t the gunner need to keep the laser on the target for a few seconds before launch and then after launch? By that time the missile is out of view and gone. More likely they are sending fire and forget manpads if they are in fact using them to protect infrastructure from missile attack.
You’re forgetting the Iranian drones. The russians are using far more of them than the few cruise missiles they have left.
Well seeing as it flies at + mach 3. I’d say pretty effective vs low level aircraft. Fastest jet at low level tornado gr4. Even that couldnt fly mach 3 at 150 feet. Summary: any close air support that is engaged by starstreak is going to be in hot water.
Starstreak would be ok for the Iranian drones I think; low level and top speed of about 100mph. The US are shipping NASAMS and the Germans are shipping Iris-T for the cruise missiles. The US is also sending the Vampire system…cheaper than Starstreak I think.
https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/2022/08/30/ukraine-to-receive-vampire-counter-drone-rockets-from-usa/
As I understand it with Starstreak on Stormer aiming is handled automatically with EO.
On the manpad launcher you have to keep the sight aimed on, not sure if before or just after launch.
Yes at a recent exhibition a journalist said on the manpad version he rarely managed to hit anything on the simulator whereas on the Stormer simulator he rarely ever missed.
The wonders of UI design….
Pretty poor show if he couldn’t hit anything. But then he probably didn’t get the weeks of simulator training that we got. Starstreak like any system has it quirks. But its very high terminal velocity helps to mitigate the operator being cack handed with keeping the firing unit on the target. Once an operator “dials in” to the system the kill percentage goes up massively.
“Doesn’t the gunner need to keep the laser on the target for a few seconds before launch and then after launch?”
No. Starstreak fires instantly and reaches the target faster than any other ground launched missile in the world.
But you’d use AMRAAM (from NASAMS) or Martlet against such a target. Starstreak is more anti-CAS and anti-helo by design.
Yes you do need to keep the firing unit pointed at the target throughout the engagement. As it uses a form of semi-automatic command line off sight (SACLOS) guidance. The lasers within the firing unit paint the target with a grid. The missile is fired and the missile looks back at the firing unit to work out the delta between it and the target. It then steers to minimize the delta.
Lugging a single missile and firing unit on your shoulder can be fatiguing. But an engagement will last less than 10 to 15 seconds. Meaning a person can easily keep a high speed and jinking target in view. When mounted on the tripod it makes life a lot easier. Having it mounted on Stormer easier still. Especially as the the search – threat validation – firing and track are pretty much automated. Stormer in particular has no problem tracking supersonic targets.
The big issue with countering cruise missiles is the engagement angle. Is it flying towards you or parallel to you. Flying towards you is the easiest target for the missile to counter. Even Martlet can be placed in the missile’s path to intercept it.
Intercepting a target that is flying parallel to you is the hardest. As the missile has to cut the corner then chase it. Starstreak does have an advantage here, in that it accelerates incredibly quickly as it was designed to counter helicopters doing pop-up attacks. However the missile is really small, so it doesn’t carry much fuel which limits its range (SHORAD after all).
There may be a problem in hitting the cruise missile. Starstreak is a sort of sabot missile system. In that after the rocket motor has burnt out. It’s three darts separate from the main body and fly in a parallel formation towards the target. The separation distance can be as much as 2m. Which means there is a small chance that each dart could miss when used against a very slim target like a cruise missile. The caveat against this, is that when used on the firing range against Banshee type drone targets. Starstreak has a better than 95% chance of a direct hit.
The chances of a hit could be further improved by incorporating a proximity fuse in to the dart. But as they are only 22mm in diameter. It will be a struggle to get one to fit. Perhaps a better solution would be to get rid of the three separate darts and use a wider diameter single body. Where there’s space for a proximity fuse and a much larger warhead.
Wonder what the breakdown in missiles will be? And rapier left and being quietly modified and dusted off, or will all these be MANPADS?
The wording is strange. Headline says 1000 more missiles then the article says delivery nearly complete of 1000 more missiles.
Now that could be 1000 sent after the 1st one. Total 1001.
Or is it saying 1000 on top of the starstreak/Marlet provided months ago.
Confusing, but lots of missiles.
Ukraine needs lots of missiles and will continue to need them.
NASAMS Can also fire sidewinder and irst in addition to amraam. That got me thinking could asraam be useful. Flies further than sidewinder.
Whoops. Apologies. You got there before me on the NASAMS etc
Might be a substantial number of amraams I suspect for NASAMS in this number.
Theoretically yes. Take a Typhoon as an example. For within visual range engagements, it can fire Sidewinder, Iris-T and ASRAAM. It uses a 1553 and 1760 databus. That is used to communicate between the mission computer and missile. The mission computer will recognize what missile is fitted by communicating with it. The pilot then has to remember the missile’s firing envelope. As each missile has a different one.
Now we look at NASAMS. It can fire AMRAAM, Sidewinder but also Iris-T. I suspect it also uses the 1553/1760 databus for communications between the missile and the mission computer. As the databus will give important status information to the computer. So if the NASAMS software was then reprogrammed to recognize ASRAAM, it is very possible for it to be used as a ground launched missile.
Here it would have a distinct advantage over both Sidewinder and Iris-T. It has a much larger rocket motor and is aerodynamically cleaner. So reaches a much higher terminal velocity significantly faster than its peers. But also will reach out much further as well. Therefore it can intercept targets further away and at higher altitudes. Plus that’s just for the Block 4 missile.
After the US screwed over ASRAAM with ITAR regulations. MBDA developed the Block 6 version which officially was to remove obsolescence. But critically also to remove US made components that require ITAR clearance. The seeker has been replaced by a newly developed MBDA one. That has a much higher resolution and contrast ratio. It is significantly better than the Block 4 version, that Sidewinder also uses. There is nothing at the moment close to it on the market. This means it is a step up to the Block 4 missile in terms of when it can “see” a target. Which opens up a whole new realm of possibilities.
Need to check the warehouses then for some Asraams getting near the sell buy date. Ukraine is going to burn through missiles.
As I said above if we can believe the official line all rapiers have been scrapped late last year.
I’m puzzled what the “1,000 additional surface-to-air missiles” will be. I doubt if the UK has that number of STARStreak’s left in its entire inventory! Thales Air Defence in Belfast manufactures just 200-300 missiles a year for the UK and export, perhaps they can surge to double that number that if the parts are available from their supply chain (a big IF).
Maybe the MOD has managed buy a large stock of old US made Stinger’s on the cheap?
7,000 starstreak were made, it was being built in the late 90’s when we used to acquire things in greater numbers.
A mix I suspect Starstreak, AMRAAM and perhaps Martlet, maybe other missiles acquired from elsewhere and supplied.
The problem there is that STARStreak is a low cost c.£100-130k missile, whilst AMRAAM is an expensive £1 million missile and the UK doesn’t have many to spare.
Martlet is also a low cost c.£70-90k missile, but only a fraction of the 1000 ordered by the MOD have so far been delivered. The big advantage is that the Martlet production line is hot – its the old STARStreak production line upgraded and repurposed.
Until one G Brown Esq changed the accounting rules so that stockpiles are effectively taxed.
Almost all of the original STARStreak missiles manufactured by Shorts in 1990’s and 2000’s will now have passed their their 22 year(?) shelf life. As such they will probably already have been supplied to Ukraine, used up for training or disposed off. The improved STARStreak II was built in much smaller numbers. If the MOD currently has a 1000 in stock, I will be amazed.
Hi Richard, thanks for very informative postings. Will the Starstreak require regular in-the-field maintenance by the Ukrainians?
Starstreak, Martlet and AMRAAM together make up the number.
On a personal note, well done the UK. I’ve been quietly impressed and admiring the support you’ve demonstrated to the people of the Ukraine. To those of you in the UK, you have much to be proud of!
It also shows when lots of countries help a bit it adds up to a lot. Still more needed.
NATO has really shown it shear strength and depth through this conflict, everything from brand new British/Swedish anti tank missiles to old us HARM missiles boot strayed on to Slovak Mig 29’s.
One on my hand to imagine what would happen to Russia or China if it ever got in to direct confrontation with NATO.
Bravo Chris.
Hi Klonkie, how’s it going in NZ? Any new news on the NZ defence front? AU here seems to preparing for a muscle up with more sovereign manufacturing etc. The NZ defence chiefs must be looking over the ditch and hopefully up “North” too? Can’t avoid the reality. Indonesia has purchased 2 of a 143m version of the T130/A140, which looks useful for them in additto their 6 FREMMs. Is NZ still sticking to just the 2 Anzacs? Any news on additional LR OPVs?
It’s none of my business but just curious…lol 😁. Sorry about the T20 🏏 last night. It’s 🏴 turn tonight!
Is NZ still considering the A140/ T31 as replacement for ANZACS?
No idea Jim. I was trying to talk up some sales to NZ… Lol 😁
20,000 sleeping bags & 150 tents. That’s 133 people per tent!
Big tents… 😃
Seriously, though I doubt they’d be looking to routinely pitch tents anywhere near the frontline… but yeh I thought that was a v. small number as well.
Somtimes I think NATO goes rummaging around old storage facillities and sends anything that might be vaguely useful. Nothing wrong with that as such but I bet the Ukrainians get some stuff and wonder, “what the hell!”
Cheers CR
Training recruits and then making sure they have proper cold weather gear (considering winter is coming up) is probably just as, or even more important, than having all these extra missiles.
Warm, well fed troops with a smidgeon of decent training, fighting cold starving unmotivated Russians…the way to go.
AA
In the winter war the Finns made a point of targeting Russian field kitchen units, so there was no hot food
Couldn’t agree more.
Cheers CR
CR wrote:
Ive often put up tents inside abandoned buildings, gives you that extra protection from the elements, with the bonus that you really are hidden from view.
The oldish army sleeping bags are brilliant for keeping warm, granted they are supposed to be used with a Gary bivy bag , but they are tostie, (still got one which I use, in fact I had it dry cleaned the other week) I also own the new army sleeping bag system (it works on the 2 in 1 one duvet system where the Summer one fits inside a Autumn one to make a winter one,) but the only person who uses that is the cat as she has worked out it’s a warm place to sleep in the spare room (I keep my doss bags opened out)
Yep, still got my two artic bags. One is the older version with the feathers. The other is the newer one. Just don’t get the feathered one wet. It takes for ever to dry and smells bad for weeks. Last time I used it was on exercise in a HAS. There was no heating and they become like fridges even when the ambient temperature is warm. This was one of my points on the exercise brief. That everyone should bring their artic bags. Those who scoffed and didn’t, learnt their lesson.
Wait till the Ukrainians receive the war reserves of digestive biscuits and tea bags, then they’ll wonder what the hell!
Most wont be sleeping out in the open, but in buildings, vehicles and trench bunkers.
With the defence budget under increasing strain im wondering how our aid to Ukrain is being financed all this kit needs replaceing and quick
Is it being replaced or just taken from stock before it goes out of date? Nothing heard about replacement orders on anything really from the MOD. Rather spend on non projects like Ajax which is far from working. Less bespoke kit and lets have it off the shelf saving money and getting what the team needs in a timely fashion.
That might apply to Brimstone 1 versions, and perhaps some Javelin and Starstreak.
But NLAW was only halfway into its shelf-life.
We’ve also started to send some Brimstone 2, they only entered service in 2016.
Only replacement order I have heard is 500 NLAW to be delivered during 2023 signed this month with a larger order for 2024+ deliveries being negotiated (as would require manufacturer to increase production capacity).
Wonder whether it is a deliberate HMG/MoD strategy to be as vague as feasible when releasing information re munitions, both in terms of donations and procurement, especially in current geopolitical environment? Could simply state everything is w/held in deference to OPSEC and Official Secrets Act, and if interested submit an info request in, oh, perhaps 30-50 yrs. 🤔😳😉
Hopefully, the stillborn upgraded version of Starstreak, will now get the go ahead.
Starstreak 2 was finished and tested, just never produced. The monies for production were taken by Martlet. So Starstreak 2 or 3 if they want to remove obsolescence/ITAR should be a goer when the Army replenishes…
Its great where supply these and other weapons but its highly likely that at least an example of each type of weapon we supply will fall in to enemy hands we know NLAW has for example. UK and allies should consider a tech refresh across the board as there will be no guarantee that the current weapon cannot be countered in a future conflict.