By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The UK government has authorized the transfer of more Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine, bolstering their ability to target Russian territory. This decision aims to ensure Ukraine’s preparedness for potential intensified attacks by Russia over the winter. While the exact quantity of missiles remains undisclosed, the Storm Shadow’s range exceeds 250 kilometers, providing a significant strike capability. This development follows reports of the US loosening restrictions on the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine, although, the Tomahawk missiles are not currently being considered.
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UK has delivered more Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine for strikes on Russia, a move that naturally sparks a lot of discussion. It’s almost like a Christmas present, as some have noted, though of course, a rather serious one. There’s a feeling that more of these missiles, and perhaps similar ones from allies like France, should be produced in greater numbers. The sentiment is that they have proven their effectiveness, especially against certain types of targets. Some see the delivery as a positive use of resources, a sense that the tax money is being put to good use, or at least a useful one. And perhaps the thought of striking back is a bit tempting.
I imagine the question of where Ukraine should use these missiles for maximum impact is on many people’s minds. The general consensus seems to lean towards key targets: logistics hubs, command centers, warships, air defense systems, and vital manufacturing facilities. It’s also important to consider the level of air defenses in any given area, as some areas may be less protected and therefore more vulnerable. The Kremlin or the Crimean bridge, while high-profile targets, might be heavily defended, making them less attractive from a military perspective.
There’s a clear understanding that the Storm Shadow missiles, while effective, won’t fit the future operations because they won’t work with all of the aircraft. That’s a point of fact. The UK is actively working on replacing them with the newer Spear 3 missile, which promises to be a more advanced weapon. The Spear 3 is smaller, has a shorter range, but can loiter, network with other systems, and even be launched from the ground, allowing for a more flexible approach. This also means more of these missiles can be carried per aircraft. Production of these missiles has also been restarted recently, indicating the UK’s commitment to its military capabilities.
The idea of loitering missiles, like the Spear 3, is certainly intriguing, as it allows them to hang around and wait for the right moment to strike. This brings us to another debate about the role of different aircraft and weapon systems. It’s clear that the UK is not abandoning its Eurofighter fleet anytime soon. This highlights the importance of keeping a diverse range of capabilities available.
This then leads us to the question of what near-peer adversaries are we worried about? Any country that buys aircraft from China, would be a reasonable answer. The discussion then veers towards the capabilities of drones. While the current largest drones have payload limits, there’s also an acknowledgement that bigger drones are in development. Ultimately, the question becomes how can one achieve the best outcomes, and how can resources be utilized most effectively?
Drones may offer advantages in payload-to-weight ratio, particularly for smaller crafts. There’s a recognition that plane-to-plane combat is still very much a part of modern warfare, and specialized air superiority fighters remain essential. The point is not just about what weapons are available, but how they can be integrated and employed.
The argument for bringing back a long-range bomber, like a modernized Vulcan, has its own complexities. However, it’s also noted that the Vulcan’s service life had ended, and it faced significant structural fatigue by the end. The payload capacity of the Vulcan was not significantly greater than some other aircraft, and the Tornado was in most respects, a better aircraft. Modern bomber-type aircraft do have the potential to deliver larger and heavier payloads over greater distances, from locations such as the Falklands, Cyprus, and the Indian Ocean.