Which UK and US-supplied long-range weapons could Ukraine use to strike Russia?

Joe Biden has fixed Ukraine support to usage US-supplied weapons to onslaught targets successful Russia aft months of unit from Volodymyr Zelensky.

The outgoing US president’s determination could spot long-range missiles utilized initially successful the Kursk region, wherever Ukrainian troops person launched an incursion into Russian territory and Vladimir Putin has bolstered his defences with troops from North Korea.

Mr Biden’s determination could pave the mode for the UK to travel suit with the Storm Shadow long-range missiles it supplies to Ukraine.

The UK Government has been reluctant to springiness Ukraine support without a displacement successful US policy, successful portion due to the fact that the missiles usage American navigation data.

Here is simply a usher to which British and American-supplied long-range weapons Ukraine could usage to onslaught Russia.

– Storm Shadow cruise missiles

In May 2023, the authorities announced that it would supply Ukraine with long-range Storm Shadow missiles.

The limb is fired from craft and has a scope of much than 155 miles, according to the manufacturer. By contrast, the US-supplied Himars missiles presently utilized by Ukraine lone person a scope of astir 50 miles.

Powered by a turbo-jet engine, the 1,300kg Storm Shadow travels astatine speeds of much than 600mph, is conscionable implicit 5 metres agelong and has a wingspan of 3 metres.

After launch, the weapon, equipped with its ain navigation system, descends to a debased altitude to debar detection earlier locking connected to its people utilizing an infrared seeker.

On last approach, the rocket climbs to a higher altitude to maximise the chances of hitting the target.

On impact, it penetrates the people earlier a delayed fuse detonates the main warhead.

Shadow defence caput James Cartlidge has said helium hoped the UK would travel the US pb successful granting support to usage Storm Shadow missiles to deed targets successful Russia, fixed Mr Putin’s continued attacks connected Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure.

– Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) rockets

The ground-launched Army Tactical Missile System, much commonly known arsenic ATACMS, person been utilized by Ukraine to onslaught Russian subject targets successful occupied Ukrainian territory for much than a year.

But the weapons were ne'er granted for usage wrong Russia – until now.

Produced by US planetary information and aerospace institution Lockheed Martin, the missiles transportation a 500lb (227kg) people blast fragmentation warhead.

The missiles tin scope up to 186 miles (300km) and are hard to intercept owed to their precocious speed.

The weapons are fitted with a specialised GPS strategy and transportation clump munitions.

When fired, the clusters unfastened successful the air, releasing hundreds of bomblets alternatively than a azygous warhead.