Even as Ukrainian pilots learn to fly F-16 jets, there is no permission yet from the U.K. to fire the 'Storm Shadow' long range cruise missile inside Russia from the donated aircraft, Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said.
Despite continuous calls from Ukraine, it remains unclear if they will ever be granted permission to fire Storm Shadow missiles given to them by the U.K. into Russian territory, Forces News reported.
"There's clearly conversations that are still going on between the United Kingdom, Ukraine and our allies in relation to further deeper range fires," the minister said during a ceremony to mark the completion of basic training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots.
However, 'Storm Shadow' missiles have been used to fire at Russian Targets inside Russia-occupied parts of Ukraine from MiG-29 and Su-25 jets of Ukraine. They have been particularly devastating against Russian shipping in the Black Sea.
Pollard emphasized that while individual weapons systems like the 'Storm Shadow' missile play a role, broader and long-term support is essential. “One weapons system will not in itself win a war,” he remarked.
Eight Ukrainian pilots have completed 16 weeks of elementary flying training with the RAF in eastern England, preparing them for advanced F-16 training. Their graduation underscores the U.K.'s ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine through training, ammunition, and equipment repairs as part of broader military assistance.