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Stormer HVM air defense system

Stormer HVM (High-Velocity Missile) is a short-range SAM. It is a Starstreak or Martlet LMM missile launcher equipped with eight containers mounted on an armored Stormer tracked platform. Starstreak missiles travel at more than three times the speed of sound - three high-density darts with impact detonators and bursting warheads for multiple hits. Both types of missiles are already used as MANPADS by the Ukrainian military against Russia. It is designed to destroy helicopters and aircraft flying at low altitudes. It has been in service with the British Army since 1997. The system was also exported to Oman.

Ukraine was given not only decommissioned things from what is available. For example, the British Stormer HVM is one of the most modern vehicles in the tactical air defense class, and Ukrainian warriors were trained on them in Poland. The Stormer armed with Starstreak missiles and part of the 200 armoured vehicles the UK has donated to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military uses the Stormer HVM air defense system to protect against air attacks by the Russian invaders. In April 2022, the British Minister of Defence, Ben Wallace, stated that Britain would transfer a small number of Stormer armoured personnel carriers equipped with Starstreak anti-aircraft missile launchers to Ukraine in order to strengthen the country's air defence. Ukraine received this system from Great Britain in July 2022, part of the 200 armoured vehicles the UK donated to Ukraine.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace gave a statement to the House of Commons on Ukraine 25 April 2022. "To date we have provided more than 5,000 anti-tank missiles, 5 Air Defence systems with more than 100 missiles, 1,360 anti-structure munitions, and 4.5 tonnes of plastic explosives. And in response to indiscriminate bombing from the air, and escalations by President Putin’s forces, on 9 March I announced that the UK would supply Starstreak high velocity and low velocity anti-air missiles. I am able to now report to the House that these have been in-theatre for over 3 weeks and they have been deployed and used by Ukrainian forces to defend themselves and their territory.... as we can see from Ukrainian requests, more needs to be done. So for that reason I can now announce to the House that we shall be gifting a small number of armoured vehicles fitted with launchers for those anti-air missiles. These Stormer vehicles will give Ukraine forces enhanced short range anti-air capabilities, both day and night."

The first six Stormer HVM air defence missile systems arrived at the frontline in Ukraine 25 July 2022. Pictures capturing these systems launching the anti-aircraft missiles were published on social media pages of the Joint Forces Task Force and the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In addition to the launches, the military published a photo of a screen on which the target is likely spotted.

These missiles are capable of shooting down enemy planes and helicopters flying low. Experts call them the “best complex” sent by any Western country. The British Ministry of Defense showed Ukrainians the work of the equipment at an exhibition in Salisbury Plain. 13-ton high-tech launchers can be loaded on C-17 transport aircrafts and sent to war in a few days. They only need a crew of three – a driver, a commander and a gunner. The deployment of the Stormer Group, along with the already promised 120 armored personnel carriers, will mean a significant increase in heavy weapons from the UK.

Stormer HVM (High-Velocity Missile) is a short-range SAM. It is a Starstreak or Martlet LMM missile launcher equipped with eight containers mounted on an armored Stormer tracked platform. Both types of missiles were already used as MANPADS by the Ukrainian military against Russia.

In addition to eight missiles in launch containers, the vehicle can carry 12 extra missiles for reloading. A panoramic sight and an air threat warning system are installed on top of the vehicle to recognize targets and prioritize them. The SAM crew includes three people. Stormer can reach a maximum speed of 80 km/h, with a maximum range of 600 km.

The detection range of jet aircraft-type targets is approximately 18 km, and for helicopter-type targets, it is 8 km. Target detection to launch time is under 5 seconds. The air defense system uses the guidance method based on the principle of flight in a laser beam. The system’s automatics illuminate the target, and the missile is held in the beam and hits the target. The declared maximum range of the Starstreak missile is 7 km. The system’s altitude range is up to 7 km. Because of their peculiar function of aiming missiles at the target in semi-automatic mode, the air defence system literally ‘invisible’ for the on-board radar radiation sensors installed on enemy helicopters and aircraft.

The British ‘invisible’ Stormer HVM air defence systems ‘see’ enemy attack aircraft at a distance of up to 18 km. Why are they ‘invisible’? Because of their peculiar function of aiming missiles at the target in semi-automatic mode. This makes the British air defence system literally ‘invisible’ for the on-board radar radiation sensors installed on enemy helicopters and aircraft", Operational Command Pivden explained.

It is designed to destroy helicopters and aircraft flying at low altitudes. It has been in service with the British Army since 1997. The system was also exported to Oman. In addition to eight missiles in launch containers, the vehicle can carry 12 extra missiles for reloading.

The Stormer has a roof-mounted eight-charge launcher and sufficient space inside to accommodate 8 reload missiles. These missiles are capable of shooting down the aggressor’s planes and helicopters flying at low altitude.

By August 2022 the British-made Stormer HVM anti-aircraft missile systems were already involved in the military action in the east of Ukraine. Pictures capturing these systems launching the anti-aircraft missiles were published on social media pages of the Joint Forces Task Force and the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In addition to the launches, the military published a photo of a screen on which the target is likely spotted. The Armed Forces of Ukraine report four downed Orlan-10 type drones (one of them was shot at night) and the Su-25 attack aircraft. However, it is unclarified whether Stormer HVM SAM hit all these targets.

The NGO "Ukrainian Military Center" reported the version that the Stormer HVM hit the target with a light multi-purpose Martlet guided missile. "This is indicated by the characteristic jet trail in the air, the speed of the rocket and the strong explosion of the warhead on the final segment of the path," the center said in a statement.