Espreso. Global

Ukrainian army hints it has Kub SAM, main details remain undisclosed

26 August, 2023 Saturday
15:39

The critical factor here determines whether these SAMs can intercept Russian cruise missiles or solely engage airplanes and helicopters

client/title.list_title

Defense Express analyzed the available photos of the SAM.

The first publicly available photo of a Ukrainian army’s Kub SAM, likely sourced from the Czech Republic, has surfaced.

While the photo's exact time and location remain unknown, a significant detail is evident: the installation features two Soviet-era 3M9 anti-aircraft missiles. These missiles, with a declared range of up to 25 km, can actually only engage aircraft and helicopters within the frontal hemisphere, with a 0.7 probability of success per missile.

“Ukraine's potential acquisition of the Kub air defense system from the Czech Republic is unexpected. Earlier this year, Czech President Petr Pavel mentioned the potential supply of two SAM batteries, which were then in the decommissioning process. No other indications were given at that time,” Defense Express writes.

This image is the second public indication of Ukraine's possession of Kub air defense systems. The first was an official photo from Operational Command "East," displaying a soldier by the SAM launcher, this time featuring three 3M9 anti-aircraft missiles.

Notably, the vehicle's color differs from Czech armed forces camouflage. While the exact origin remains uncertain, the emergence of a new Soviet-era air defense system within the Ukrainian Armed Forces, potentially sourced from Eastern European NATO countries, sparks interest. More intriguing is whether these Kub systems are compatible with American AIM-7 Sparrow missiles. Such missiles have been supplied to Ukraine as part of various US military assistance packages.

Considering this, it's plausible that the Soviet-era Kub systems in the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been adapted for AIM-7 Sparrow use. The Polish company WZU's 2000s advancements may have facilitated the launch of American anti-aircraft missiles with minimal guide modifications.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Friday
22 November
13:57
Russia’s Shahed drone attack on Ukraine's Sumy kills 2, injures 12
13:34
Ukraine authorizes Argo Aurora all-terrain amphibious vehicle for military use
13:16
Germany begins preparing for potential war with Russia — media
12:58
High-ranking North Korean general wounded in Ukraine's strike on Russia
12:43
Exclusive
Russian leadership pushes troops into hectic assaults in Kupyansk sector
12:23
Western sanctions nearly halt Russia's major LNG plant operations
11:56
Review
Russia likely warned U.S. about intercontinental missile launch to avoid NATO response. Serhiy Zgurets’ column
11:36
Russia provides over 1 million barrels of oil to North Korea in exchange for military support
11:15
Czech Foreign Minister Lipavsky arrives in Kyiv
10:56
Ukraine’s parliament cancels Friday sitting over attack threat — MPs
10:43
Russia seizes Dalnie village in Kurakhove direction — DeepState
10:28
Russia loses air defense system, 1,050 soldiers and 5 artillery systems in one day of war in Ukraine
10:08
Exclusive
Putin seeks to influence Trump, gain leverage with new missile launch, says military expert
2024, Thursday
21 November
21:20
Ukraine turns to UN, NATO after Russia launches new missile
21:01
Ukraine intercepts Kinzhal missiles flying faster than newly minted Oreshnik — expert Kovalenko
20:42
OPINION
Russia's strike on Ukraine's Dnipro with Rubezh ICBM: panic is unwarranted
20:19
Updated
Russia strikes Ukraine's Dnipro with Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile, Putin says
19:55
Exclusive
Using Rubezh ICBM without nuclear warhead makes no sense for Russia - expert
19:35
Exclusive
Ukrainian government fails to track its citizens abroad - migration policy expert
19:13
Exclusive
Ukraine opens 7 new embassies in Africa over past year
18:51
Ukraine no longer battles just Russia, World War III has started, Zaluzhnyi says
18:30
Ukraine’s Storm Shadow missiles hit Russian command post, killing top officers
18:11
Over 60 Crimean political prisoners need urgent medical care
17:50
ICC issues arrest warrants for Israeli PM Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant, Hamas leader Deif
17:31
OPINION
Moscow targets Western minds with Rubezh missile
17:13
EU comments on Russia's use of intercontinental ballistic missile against Ukraine
17:03
Updated
Russia may have used Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile in attack on Ukraine's Dnipro
16:56
Ukraine approves bill allowing voluntary return to service for first-time AWOL
16:35
Ukraine commemorates 20 years since Orange Revolution on Day of Dignity and Freedom
16:13
Exclusive
Is Rubezh missile used to strike Ukraine's Dnipro Russia's new "wunderwaffe"?
15:54
Volunteer-turned-spy sentenced to 15 years for FSB espionage
15:34
Russia strikes administrative building in Kryvyi Rih, injuring 26, including children
15:17
OPINION
Beijing supplies weapons to Moscow: how to explain it to Trump?
14:54
Ukrainian minister outlines conditions for Ukraine resuming flights
13:48
Russia’s Doppelgänger disinformation campaign linked to defense ministry
13:40
Russia promotes plan to West dividing Ukraine into three parts, threatening its statehood
13:16
Hungary to deploy additional air defense systems near Ukrainian border
12:56
Ukraine experiences nationwide Internet speed drop following S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 release
12:33
153 combat clashes erupt on Russia-Ukraine frontline, with 34 in Pokrovsk sector
12:16
OPINION
How Ukraine's Kursk operation shattered Russia's hopes to freeze war
More news