Starstreak
Type: Long-Range Air Defense System
Domain: land
Country of Origin: France
Manufacturer: Thales Group
First Deployed: 1997
Overview
High Velocity Missile (HVM) short-range air defence system capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and cruise missiles. Unique three-dart kinetic energy warhead design — after launch the missile accelerates to over Mach 3.5, then releases three laser-guided tungsten sub-munitions that independently track the target using laser beam-riding guidance. This makes it extremely difficult to decoy or jam compared to IR or radar-guided missiles. Available in shoulder-launched (LML), vehicle-mounted (Stormer HVM), and helicopter-launched (Martlet derivative) configurations. Combat-proven in Ukraine against Russian aircraft.
Technical Specifications
| type | High-Velocity Short-Range Air Defense Missile |
|---|---|
| range | ~7 km |
| speed | Mach 3.5+ |
| weight | 14.5 kg (missile) |
| guidance | Laser beam-riding; 3x kinetic sub-munitions |
| launcher | Shoulder-fired (SP), Stormer vehicle, helicopter |
Operators
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- South Africa
- Thailand
- United Kingdom
Related land Weapon Systems
- K808 White Tiger - Armored Fighting Vehicle (South Korea)
- Al-Khalid I / II MBT - Main Battle Tank (Pakistan)
- KF51 Panther - Main Battle Tank (Germany)
- Strela-10 (9K35) SHORAD - Short-Range Air Defense System (Russia)
- BMP-1 - Infantry Fighting Vehicle (Russia)
- Piranha V (8x8) - Armored Fighting Vehicle (Denmark)
- Type 90 - Main Battle Tank (Japan)
- Iskander-M (9K720) - Short-Range Ballistic Missile (Russia)
- PPK-20 - Pistol / Handgun (Russia)
- Sinai 200 Armored Fighting Vehicle - Infantry Fighting Vehicle (Egypt)