Ukrainian media report that the combination of tactical ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as the use of attack drones, has pushed the Ukrainian Air Force’s MIM-104 Patriot air defense systems to their limits. Moscow’s Armed Forces have refined their tactics and incorporated technical innovations in recent months, allowing them to saturate Ukraine’s air defenses.
According to Ukrainian authorities, the 9K720 Iskander tactical ballistic missiles used by Russian forces have undergone several modifications to evade Ukrainian air defenses. These improvements include the ability to perform evasive maneuvers during the terminal phase and the deployment of decoys, which have increased their effectiveness.
Despite these innovations in Russian missiles, Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, recently stated that the Patriot system continues to intercept ballistic and hypersonic missiles, such as the Kinzhal. However, the American-made system must overcome certain technical limitations: “…(when operating) in automatic mode, it becomes difficult to precisely calculate the interception moment when a missile performs maneuvers during flight… Moreover, during an attack, a single Patriot battery points in a specific direction; it cannot see or engage Russian targets within a 360-degree radius,” Ihnat added.
Since their integration into Ukraine’s layered air defense network, the MIM-104 Patriots have proven to be a remarkable tool for the Ukrainian Air Force in countering Russian Aerospace Forces’ missiles and aircraft. In addition to intercepting ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic missiles, Ukrainian Patriots have also achieved notable success in a series of ambush operations that resulted in the destruction of Russian fighter-bombers, interceptors, and helicopters.
These ambushes with the MIM-104 Patriot system are believed to have been executed using “unconventional” tactics, as previously reported by the Ukrainian Air Force. It is speculated that Ukrainian forces may have developed and implemented a mobile version of the Patriot system, enabling the establishment of short-lived but highly effective kill zones against Russian aircraft.
Allies reinforce Ukraine’s Patriot systems
Germany, Denmark, Lithuania, and Norway are among the allied countries that facilitated the transfer of two additional Patriot systems to Ukraine, sourced from German stockpiles. The Danish, Lithuanian, and Norwegian contributions were made through financial support. “…We have strengthened the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense. I thank Germany and, personally, Chancellor Friedrich Merz for this joint initiative to protect human lives from Russian terrorism…,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a few days ago.
The Ukrainian president also stated that negotiations are underway to further enhance Ukraine’s integrated air defense system, both through government initiatives and with various manufacturers.
It is also worth noting that Ukraine’s air defenses include the SAMP/T system provided by France and Italy, which has proven effective against multiple Russian threats. The list also features NASAMS, IRIS-T SLM, MIM-23 HAWK, Crotale NG, Raven/ASRAAM, and SPADA 2000/Aspide systems, among others.
Illustrative cover image. Credits: Armed Forces of Ukraine
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