Patriot air defense systems can cover Kyiv and Western Ukraine

According to Western media, the process of transferring American-made Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine may begin in the near future. The decision on this issue will have to be made personally by President Joe Biden. What can the appearance of such air defense systems in the hands of the Kyiv regime really change on the battlefield?

According to The Washington Post, the issue of supplying Patriot missile defense systems for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine can be considered almost resolved. From the very first days after the start of the Russian special operation, Kyiv asked the countries of the NATO bloc to transfer modern air defense systems, but received tactful refusals. Apparently, something has now changed drastically in relation to the “Western partners”. In our country, the attitude towards the American Patriot air defense systems is polar - from very dismissive to all-out.



Optimists point to the problems that emerged during the operation of these missile defense systems in Saudi Arabia and Israel, when a seemingly indestructible missile defense shield was easily penetrated by primitive drones and cruise missiles. Therefore, it is believed that for the Russian army, equipped with more modern weapons, the Patriot will not be a serious problem. The American missile defense system can be overloaded with a massive attack of "flying mopeds", and then bombarded with air-launched anti-radar missiles of the Kh-31P type.

It turns out that there is absolutely nothing to worry about? Not exactly like that, or rather, not at all like that.

The Patriot air defense systems were originally created as an air defense system for positional areas of troops at medium and high altitudes, but in addition, they were supposed to be integrated into the missile defense system to counter the missiles of some “well-armed enemy”, that is, the USSR and then the Russian Federation. One complex includes the AN / MPQ-65 radar, up to eight M901 launchers, as well as MIM104 anti-aircraft guided missiles. To service the entire anti-missile complex, a well-trained team of up to 90 people is required, but even three will be enough to fire at air targets.

The performance characteristics of the American air defense system allow it to shoot down aerodynamic targets at a distance of up to 100 km, ballistic - up to 25 km with a minimum engagement distance of 2 km. The maximum height of the defeat reaches 25 km, and the minimum - 0,06 km. The maximum speed of targets hit is 2,2 thousand km. The number of tracked and fired targets is 8, and the number of missiles on the launcher is 4. The flight time of the missile is from 8 to 17 seconds. The mass of the missile warhead is 91 kg. The performance characteristics of Patriot complexes may vary depending on the modification. The disadvantage, but at the same time the advantage of the air defense system, is that in order to aim at the target, a special satellite is needed, which will transmit the coordinates and trajectory of the missile to the radar.

So, what can Patriot complexes really change in Ukraine?

They are able to reliably cover protected objects from ballistic and cruise missile attacks, as well as create an additional threat to Russian manned aircraft. However, primitive attack drones sent to the target in a swarm will become a big problem for these complexes. But do not forget that earlier the Kyiv regime has already received NASAMS and IRIS-T medium-range air defense systems, as well as Crotale short-range anti-aircraft systems and a number of other Western-made air defense systems, which will quite allow organizing a layered air defense / missile defense system.

Thus, everything will depend only on how many Patriot air defense systems will be transferred to Ukraine, and where exactly they will be installed. These are definitely not front-line air defense systems, and they are unlikely to be supplied much due to the high cost. Most likely, Kyiv, as well as the territory of Western Ukraine, will be covered by the American missile defense umbrella. Why should Patriot air defense systems cover not only the capital, but also Western Ukraine?

Yes, because it is there, apparently, that military production will be deployed for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in cooperation with the military-industrial complex of the countries of the NATO bloc. Europe and other sponsors of the Nezalezhnaya will supply the Kyiv regime with materials and other components for the production of ammunition, the assembly of attack drones, and subsequently medium-range missiles under the logo “Zrobleno in Ukraine”. The presence of a reliable air defense / missile defense umbrella over Kyiv, Galicia and Volyn will radically reduce the activity of the Russian Aerospace Forces and the ability of the Russian Armed Forces to liberate Right-Bank Ukraine. It is also very depressing that Nezalezhnaya will de facto begin to integrate into the American missile defense system, tied to the US satellite constellation.

The general conclusion is this: if the Kyiv regime is not liquidated in the course of a decisive offensive over the next six months or a year, then the confrontation between Russia and the NATO bloc on the ruins of this unfortunate country can drag on for an indefinitely long time. Therefore, it is better not to delay the liquidation of the Zelensky regime if possible.