Storm Shadow, SCALP, domestic guided bombs: blending Western support with Ukrainian ingenuity. Serhiy Zgurets’ column

Another Russian attack

On the night of November 26, Russia used a record number of strike drones - 188, of which only 12 reached their targets, including non-strike ones. 76 drones were destroyed or lost in location, and 5 returned to Belarus. The Russian army also used four Iskander-M missiles, one of which caused damage to the energy infrastructure in the Ternopil region.

Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG for Ukraine

Against this backdrop, a very interesting report appeared in Bloomberg, stating that the United Kingdom had transferred a significant number of Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine for strikes on Russian targets a few weeks ago. The exact number was not disclosed, but we know that these missiles have already been used. For instance, a strike was recently carried out with at least ten Storm Shadow missiles on a command post in the Kursk region, with quite positive results.

We tried to find out how many Storm Shadow missiles are available, produced by the European consortium MBDA. It turns out that by 2017, the consortium had produced 3,000 of these missiles for several users. Notably, nine countries are users of these missiles.

However, when it comes to transferring such missiles to Ukraine, only the United Kingdom, France, and Italy can provide them. Together, these three countries have 1,600 missiles in their arsenal, of which 100 were used during the Iraq war, while the rest are being updated. So, the stock of these missiles for Ukraine is at least 500-600 units, which can be supplied over time to meet the needs of our security and defense forces.

We know that France has also transferred a certain number of SCALP-EG missiles. Ukraine has received at least up to a hundred of these missiles. In addition, we are receiving air-to-surface missile bombs from France, which are used to destroy ground targets with our bombers and fighter jets. There are many examples of our MiG-29 fighters using French HAMMER missile bombs.

Interestingly, we have already received a certain number of these missile bombs from France. According to preliminary data, we were supposed to receive 600 HAMMER missiles this year. This seems like a significant quantity, but we understand that Russia uses more when it comes to guided bombs. At least on some days, Russian forces use up to 600-800 guided bombs per day. This is a fairly large number, so we need many more such weapons.

Ukrainian guided bombs

We understand that there are companies and private enterprises in Ukraine trying to create weapon systems that could help compensate for the gap with Russia in guided air-to-surface bombs.

Several Ukrainian companies are currently developing models that, on one hand, resemble French HAMMER missile bombs, which can be launched from MiG-29 fighter jets. Theoretically, these systems have a range of up to 70 km, but due to the specifics of Russian air defense, such munitions are used at a maximum range of 40 km.

There are videos showing MiG-29s launching French strike systems, which then, thanks to precise guidance correction via the control system, hit buildings where the Russian occupiers are located.

One of the directions for strengthening Ukrainian air capabilities is the use of such precision-guided munitions. Previously, MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets did not have the capability for effective ground strikes.

Oleh Vostrykh, a representative of the design bureau for developing guided air-to-surface bombs, planning, and correction modules, explained that the situation at the front is very difficult, with a shortage of shells. As for long-range missiles, we are constantly being told where and how to use them. Therefore, one of the best elements for combat is the bombs that are in our warehouses, stored since Soviet times. We are not inventing anything new, except for what existed during the Soviet era. The guided aerial bomb was adopted by the USSR in 1975, and now Russia is actively using it in the war against us. However, for some reason, in the third year of the war, we are only starting to develop guided bombs, although this should have been done much earlier. We know that Russia’s air defense is very strong, including the S-400 and S-300 systems near the border. Our planes cannot assist troops on the front line because Russia's air defense is active, so we need to drop bombs from 40-100 km which could significantly change the situation. Then, we would become more equal to the Russian army and would no longer need to ask our allies if we could use certain weapons - we could simply do our job and destroy Russian forces.

A representative of the design bureau noted that the guided bombs project is currently at the testing stage, but there are misunderstandings with the military leadership of the Ministry of Defense, which does not support it and only creates problems. The development is already at a stage where Russia will soon feel the corresponding effect on the front. The guided bomb has been called "people's" because the project was funded by the design bureau and also involved fundraising.

I hope that our first conversation with Mr. Oleh Vostrykh will serve as a catalyst for quality and positive changes. I believe that in due time we will definitely return to this topic, as it concerns an initiative that is entirely necessary for the Ukrainian Air Force to receive a new type of weapon.

Downing of cruise missile using MANPADS

When we talk about any weapon, its potential depends not only on the technical characteristics of a particular model but also on the ability of the soldiers to use it effectively. This creates the synergy that ensures success on the battlefield.

Do you remember when, on November 17, one of the enemy's powerful attacks on Ukraine took place using both Shaheds and cruise missiles? We later saw a video in which soldier Nataliya Hrabarchuk destroyed a cruise missile with a MANPADS Igla. It was her first combat launch and her first hit.

Nataliya was instructed at a training center where simulators developed by the company Enerhiya 2000 were used for preparation. Therefore, we will invite Colonel of the Reserve of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Mykola Salamakha, the project manager of Enerhiya 2000, to join the conversation.

The project manager of Enerhiya 2000 explained that Ms. Nataliya underwent training at the center twice as a MANPADS operator. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, entire units came to the center for training, and there was very limited time for preparation. During that time, people could carry out a total of 40 to 60 launches, but after that, they were already destroying enemy equipment. The experience of using MANPADS simulators shows that 1-2 weeks of training with about 50 training launches was sufficient. If more serious training is conducted, a serviceman or cadet carries out about 200 launches over 2-3 weeks, which helps develop stable skills.

Salamakha noted that MANPADS simulators for the Igla and Stinger systems are developed and now produced by several companies in Ukraine. These simulators are supplied to the training centers of the State Border Guard Service, the National Guard, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Additionally, some brigades already have these simulators in their training ranges.

The Reserve Lieutenant Colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine added that the price of a MANPADS missile and a Shahed drone fall within the same range. However, if there is an opportunity to shoot down Russian drones with maneuverable groups using machine gun fire or small-caliber anti-aircraft guns, it is preferable to use those means. If there is no other option, then MANPADS have to be used.