A Royal Artillery Stormer drives down the ramp of a C-17A Globemaster at RAF Akrotiri before taking up air defence duties in Cyprus (Picture: MOD)

Epic Fury

Royal Artillery's Stormer air defence armoured vehicles flown in to Cyprus

A battery of Stormer air defence vehicles operated by the Royal Artillery has arrived in Cyprus to beef up the systems already in place in the wake of the drone attack on RAF Akrotiri.

The armoured vehicles and their associated kit were flown into the airbase on board RAF C-17A Globemaster transport aircraft.

Stormers can be equipped with two types of missile, both made by Thales, these being the Starstreak High Velocity Missile (HVM) and the Lightweight Multirole Missile.

Speed kills – hostile threats

The Stormer is a tracked vehicle derived from the CVR(T) Scorpion/Scimitar chassis.

The ones deployed to Cyprus are fitted with the Starstreak HVM – which is one of the fastest missiles in the world, travelling at speeds of around 3,000 mph.

It was designed to counter threats from high-performance, low-flying aircraft as well as fast "pop-up" strikes by attack helicopters.

The missile uses a system of three dart-like projectiles, allowing multiple hits on the target.

In addition to the Stormer, the Starstreak HVM can be fired from the shoulder or from a lightweight multiple launcher.

The Stormer HVM's high-speed missiles and rapid response capability make it a crucial component in defending against modern drone warfare and other airborne threats.

While both the Starstreak and LMM are used for short-range work, the Starstreak's primary role is anti-air — This Stormer, like those in Cyprus, is prepped to launch Starstreak missiles – while both the Starstreak and LMM are used for short-range work, the Starstreak's primary role is anti-air (Picture: BFBS)

Starstreak paired with Martlet

The Starstreak's sister missile, the Lightweight Multirole Missile has also been deployed to Cyprus.

Three Royal Navy Wildcats, which were again flown in by the RAF, are being used to patrol the skies armed with the LMM, which in Royal Navy use is called the Martlet.

While the missiles are similar, Starstreak is designed purely for air defence, while the Martlet lives up to its multirole name by being able to tackle surface targets as well.

Royal Navy Wildcats carry the Martlet - the Navy's name for the LMM - which can engage surface targets as well as air — Royal Navy Wildcats carry the Martlet – the Navy's name for the LMM – which can engage surface targets as well as air (Picture: MOD)

Hitching a lift with the RAF

The Stormers and Wildcats were taken to the Eastern Mediterranean island on board two types of RAF transport aircraft, the aforementioned C-17A and the A400M Atlas.

The Atlas, which is made by Airbus, entered operational service with the Royal Air Force in 2014.

It provides a tactical airlift and strategic oversize lift capability that complements the C-17A fleet. The aircraft is operated by two pilots and a weapons systems operator.

The C-17A seen here can operate over greater distances, while the A400M Atlas can fly out of unprepared airstrips if necessary (Picture: MOD)

The C-17A Globemaster, meanwhile, is a long-range aircraft used by the RAF to transport heavy loads for missions like combat, peacekeeping and humanitarian aid.

In addition to its work in the wake of Operation Epic Fury, it has supported operations such as Operation Pitting in Afghanistan and efforts in Ukraine.