The Fencer was lengthy rumored to be the Ukrainian plane of selection for utilizing the British-supplied cruise missile.

Two weeks after the announcement of the delivery of Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine, now we have now affirmation that the British-supplied weapons are carried in fight by the Su-24 Fencer. The photograph, proven on Twitter by Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov, was offered to UK’s Secretary of Defence Ben Wallace as he visited Kyiv.

Wallace visited Kyiv on Might 24 to debate priorities for rising Ukraine’s protection capabilities, significantly offering long-range weapons, in addition to the nation’s NATO adhesion and future plans. The Secretary of Defence additionally signed the photograph with the caption “To all of the courageous ‘few’ who threat all for the glory of Ukraine”.

I used to be glad to host my nice good friend Ben Wallace, @BWallaceMP, in Kyiv.
We had a really significant dialogue targeted on priorities for rising Ukraine’s protection capabilities, significantly offering long-range weapons equivalent to Storm Shadow.

We additionally mentioned prospects for… pic.twitter.com/kVEo8dtFMc

— Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) May 24, 2023

The plane within the photograph seems to be the Su-24MR “Yellow 60” assigned to the seventh Tactical Aviation Brigade, which operates each the standard Su-24M “Fencer D” and the MR “Fencer E” recon variant. Though the MR variant will not be geared up with air-to-ground weapons, it seems to have been modified to hold the missiles on the pylons normally loaded with the exterior gas tanks.

#Ukraine: We obtained the primary ever HQ picture of the 🇬🇧Storm Shadow missile utilized by the Ukrainian Air Power, carried by Su-24MR “Yellow 60” of the seventh Tactical Aviation Brigade.

This plane, refurbed in 2018, was initially a reconnaissance model-until just lately of restricted use. pic.twitter.com/4TXIVAHIgG

— 🇺🇦 Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) May 24, 2023

The Su-24, which within the photograph is carrying two Storm Shadow missiles (one clearly seen, the opposite will be acknowledged by its define on the opposite wing), has at all times been thought of the most probably candidate to make use of the cruise missile. The truth is, the MiG-29 and Su-27 had been thought of unlikely as their heaviest loading hardpoints are certified for up to 1,000 kg (though some sources say the Flanker may be capable to carry it underneath the fuselage however with heavy limitations), whereas the Storm Shadow weights 1,300 kg.

As we reported, the missile has already been employed in opposition to Russian targets few days after the supply was introduced. The information, first emerged on-line after particles traceable to the Storm Shadow had been discovered close to air strikes’ targets within the Russian occupied areas, was later confirmed additionally by the UK’s Secretary of Defence final week.

In the intervening time, the supply of different long-range weapons is being mentioned. Amongst these are the Storm Shadow’s French variant, the SCALP, and the German equivalent, the Taurus KEPD 350.

Stefano D’Urso is a contract journalist and contributor to TheAviationist based mostly in Lecce, Italy. A graduate in Industral Engineering he is additionally learning to realize a Grasp Diploma in Aerospace Engineering. Digital Warfare, Loitering Munitions and OSINT methods utilized to the world of navy operations and present conflicts are amongst his areas of experience.