Could Ukraine receive THAAD systems from partners? Analyst's assessment
Illustrative photo: Ukraine will try to get THAAD systems from its allies (flickr by US Missile Defense Agency)
Ukraine needs to actively discuss with its partners the possibility of transferring THAAD systems, which could intercept Russia's new missiles. However, predicting the supply of such systems is still difficult, according to Yehor Valiarenko, an analyst at the Foreign Policy Council Ukrainian Prism, in a comment for the RBC-Ukraine YouTube channel.
"Regarding the THAAD systems, it's hard to say because they are very expensive. At a minimum, the system itself is twice as expensive as the Patriot, and we are collecting pieces from around the world, even with Patriot and cheaper systems, to cover part of Ukraine's airspace. So, when it comes to more expensive and technologically advanced systems, it will be more difficult," said Valiarenko.
He added that this issue will certainly be a subject of negotiation between Ukraine and its partners, but it's unclear how they will respond to such a request.
The analyst noted that Ukraine will not be able to obtain enough of these systems to cover the entire airspace. The obvious object of protection will be Kyiv, but the Russian army first used its medium-range ballistic missile Kedr not against the capital, but against Dnipro.
"Providing such systems could provoke an even more serious reaction from Russia. But once, F-16s and ATACMS seemed to be unattainable goals for Ukraine. However, in the end, gradually, step by step (the supplies began - ed.)," Valiarenko pointed out.
In his opinion, this issue needs to be worked out, especially if it concerns security guarantees for Ukraine after the resolution of the current conflict.
THAAD for Ukraine
The issue of supplying THAAD systems to Ukraine became pressing after the Russian army targeted Dnipro with a Kedr medium-range ballistic missile. Ukraine currently lacks air defense systems capable of countering such missiles.
According to a source in the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, Ukraine plans to initiate negotiations with partners on how to counter this new Russian weaponry.
