British Army deploys Stormer air defence vehicles to Cyprus amid escalating strikes in Iran by US and Israel
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Britain has deployed deadly air defence vehicles to Cyprus to bolster the island’s fortifications.
The capability is operated by Gunners from 12 Regiment Royal Artillery, based on Thorney Island near Emsworth. Armoured vehicles and their associated kit were flown into the airbase on board RAF C-17A Globemaster transport aircraft.
As reported in Forces News, Stormers can be equipped with the Starstreak High Velocity Missile (HVM), one of the fastest missiles in the world that can travel at speeds of around 3,000 mph.
The Starstreak High Velocity Missile (HVM) is designed to counter threats from very high performance, low-flying aircraft and fast 'pop up' strikes by helicopter attacks. It uses a system of three dart-like projectiles, allowing multiple hits on the target. HVM can be fired from the shoulder, from a lightweight multiple launcher or from the Stormer armoured vehicle.
The Stormer HVM's high-speed missiles and rapid response capability make it a crucial component in defending against drones and similar airborne threats. Scroll up to the top of this article to see the vehicles arriving in Cyprus.
Israel launched a new wave of strikes on Iran on Friday after US President Donald Trump claimed talks on ending the war were going well, and gave Tehran more time to open the Strait of Hormuz – though there is no sign of Iran backing down. British forces are continuing to patrol Cyprus and the airspace around the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East.