Espreso. Global

US sends key air defense components to Ukraine amidst growing military aid

13 December, 2023 Wednesday
17:34

The recent $200 million aid package from the US to Ukraine, under the presidential withdrawal initiative, raises speculation about the assembly of a hybrid FrankenSAM air defense system with AIM-9M missiles. Here are the three signs that point to a potential start of production for this system

client/title.list_title

Defense Express writes about it. 

The aid package includes "air defense system components," suggesting a transfer of unnamed elements from the US military reserves. Alongside this, the package features "equipment for the protection of critical national infrastructure." These details, coupled with the provision of AIM-9M missiles, align with the development of a close-range air defense system dubbed FrankenSAM.

Though not officially confirmed, the transfer strongly hints at providing components for assembling a system with a target destruction range of approximately 5 km, akin to the MIM-72 Chaparral. The recent announcement in Washington about sharing technical documentation for FrankenSAM projects adds weight to this assumption.

The simplicity of integrating AIM-9M missiles makes them a feasible choice for this project, possibly resembling the British AIM-132 ASRAAM air-to-air missile system. The parallel guidance systems and past success in adapting similar missiles support this idea.

The undisclosed method of implementation echoes the British model, involving a radar-equipped armored chassis and missile pre-launch systems. This suggests that Ukraine could assemble similar FrankenSAMs locally or repurpose existing Soviet air defense systems.

Notably, the aid package includes a variety of military equipment, from missiles to HIMARS and HARM anti-radar missiles to small arms ammunition. This comprehensive support aims to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities amid growing tensions.

While the exact strategy for incorporating these components remains undisclosed, the aid signals a significant step in enhancing Ukraine's military capabilities.
 

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Saturday
21 December
15:35
Exclusive
Ukrainian forces face repeated tactical traps since 2022, encirclement looms near Kurakhove
15:13
Russian units in Ukraine’s Kherson report sabotage, suicides
14:54
OPINION
Russia can be destroyed by local barons
14:32
EU hits record high in Russian gas imports in 2024 - media
14:10
Review
Russian forces attempt to encircle Ukrainian troops: battles near Kurakhove. Serhiy Zgurets' column
13:47
Unmasking Spanish-language media pushing Kremlin narratives (Part 2)
13:25
Drones attack elite high-rise buildings in Russia's Kazan
13:06
Guerrillas expose redeployment of Russian military equipment toward Kurakhove
12:52
Exclusive
Russia's cyberattack on state registries aims to undermine Ukraine's elections - journalist
12:31
211 combat clashes occur on Russian-Ukrainian front on Dec. 20 - General Staff
12:07
Review
From Vietnam to Ukraine: how TOW missiles have been taking out Russian tanks
11:48
Ukraine launches first robotic attack without infantry support - ISW
11:30
Updated
Russia attacks Ukraine with drones, missiles: casualties reported in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia
11:09
Russia launches 18 attacks on Ukraine ahead of UN Security Council meetings - Ambassador
10:51
Russia sets up TV and radio network to strengthen propaganda in occupied Ukraine
10:34
Russia loses 1,860 soldiers, 32 artillery systems, 10 tanks in one day of war in Ukraine
2024, Friday
20 December
21:30
Exclusive
“Russia planned Oreshnik attack, but something failed”: diplomat Chaly on Kyiv missile strike
21:10
Exclusive
Hacker attack on Ukraine's state registries is painful, but not catastrophic - cybersecurity expert
20:50
Ukrainian defenders repel Russian subversive groups near Kherson
20:25
OPINION
Putin admits Russia's war in Ukraine is driven by boredom
19:50
Fico blames Zelenskyy for gas crisis in Slovakia
19:29
Ukraine demands Orbán stop speculating on war, “Christmas truce”
19:01
146 combat engagements reported at front, Russian forces most active in Kursk sector
18:40
Germany sends additional IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine
18:16
Ukraine's fiber-optic drones pass testing phase
17:50
Six embassies in Kyiv damaged in Russian missile attack
17:28
Lithuania to allocate €10 million for 'Danish model' implementation in Ukraine
17:00
Exclusive
Russia's strike on Kyiv not response to Zelenskyy's statements - military expert
16:33
Ukraine to receive first $2 billion from frozen Russian assets via World Bank — Ukraine’s PM
16:15
Ukraine plans to open two new consulates in Poland
15:55
Russian attack puts Zaporizhzhia NPP on verge of blackout
15:41
Exclusive
U.S. could collapse energy prices, undermining Russian economy — politician Rybachuk
15:19
Ukraine returns bodies of 503 fallen defenders
14:53
U.S. to announce final package of new weapons for Ukraine in coming days - media
14:41
Russia's Iskander, KN-23 strike on Kyiv: planned operation or Putin's spiteful whim?
14:20
Ukraine denies information about forces encircled near Kurakhove
13:50
OPINION
Manipulation: no longer aggressor and victim, but “parties to conflict”
13:31
Ukraine accuses Russia of cyberattack targeting critical infrastructure
13:14
Updated
Russian attack on Kyiv leaves one dead, several injured
12:59
OPINION
Zelenskyy vs. Putin: dictator must be intimidated
More news