F-16s won’t help? Expert explains what tools Ukraine has against ballistic missiles
Photo: Patriot air defense system (Getty Images)
Ukraine has Patriot and Samp-T air defense systems provided by partners. Only these systems can intercept Russian ballistic missiles. F-16 fighters are not capable of handling this task, Aviation expert Kostiantyn Kryvolap shares this information in a comment to the RBC-Ukraine YouTube channel.
"Only Patriot and Samp-T systems can counter ballistic missiles. That's it. We don't have other systems. F-16s, like any other aircraft, cannot intercept ballistic missiles. There are no aircraft capable of doing this. Neither F-35s nor F-22s can intercept ballistic missiles," the expert explained.
According to him, current aircraft algorithms and technologies do not allow for the destruction of ballistic missiles.
"Ballistic missiles are intercepted with a ballistic strike, meaning a direct hit on the missile," Kryvolap explained.
Air defense for Ukraine
It is worth noting that Ukraine, after an increase in Russian shelling at the beginning of spring, requested additional Patriot systems from its partners, as these air defense systems are capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.
Following this request, Germany, the United States, Romania, and the Netherlands announced the supply of Patriot batteries to Ukraine. Additionally, Italy promised to provide a SAMP-T battery, which can also handle enemy ballistic missiles.
Currently, only the transfer of a Patriot system from Germany to Ukraine is confirmed, which occurred in early July.
Recently, Romania also donated a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. This was announced by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.
It is important to note that Ukraine requested its partners to supply at least seven additional Patriot batteries, as this could significantly impact missile defense and the destruction of enemy aircraft.
