Russian missile upgrades challenge air defense systems
Russians are modernizing ballistic missiles, making it more challenging for air defense systems like the Patriot to intercept them, claims Yurii Ihnat from the Ukrainian Air Force in an interview with the Ukrainian agency Unian.
Russian ballistic missiles are undergoing modernization, posing a challenge to air defense systems such as the Patriot. Yurii Ihnat, a representative of the Ukrainian Air Force, informed in an interview with Unian that Russians are targeting the modernized missiles towards Ukraine, and not all are intercepted successfully.
New technologies in missiles
Ihnat explained that Russians are integrating technologies into these missiles that reduce the effectiveness of defense systems. The missiles can now deploy radar decoys, making them harder to intercept. Additionally, they move along quasi-ballistic trajectories, complicating the calculation of the interception point.
Patriot systems, which are capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, are finding it difficult to predict the trajectory of these modernized versions. Ihnat emphasized that although the interception process is complicated, it is not impossible. Cooperation with partners aims at further enhancing these systems.
Effectiveness of air defense
Ihnat points out that one type of enhanced missile is the Iskander-M. This system is equipped with a launcher capable of firing missiles weighing up to 11,000 lbs. These missiles exceed a length of 23 feet and have a diameter of about 3 feet. Once launched, they achieve hypersonic speeds, exceeding 17,500 mph. Due to such immense speed, the Iskander-M poses a significant challenge to defense systems.
It is also important to note that Iskander-M systems are characterized by exceptional precision. These powerful missiles hit designated targets with great accuracy. The weapon's accuracy, measured by the CEP (Circular Error Probable) indicator, is 30 meters, indicating its high effectiveness.
