Rapid Ranger boosts Ukraine's air defense against Shahed drones
Photo: Rapid Ranger, equipped with low-cost missiles to counter Shaheds, has bolstered Ukraine's air defense capabilities (Thales.com)
The British Rapid Ranger air defense missile systems have demonstrated high effectiveness in destroying Russian drones, detecting enemy targets at ranges of up to 15 kilometers, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
The Rapid Ranger air defense system is equipped with an optoelectronic surveillance system that provides 360° coverage.
In addition, the British system can be equipped with a panoramic long-range infrared sensor for target search and tracking, as well as a surveillance and tracking radar, allowing it to operate independently or as part of an extensive command-and-control network.
Laser guidance
The LMM Martlet missile features laser guidance, not just infrared guidance. Thanks to this, the system can engage even targets with a low thermal signature or equipped with thermal decoys.
The Rapid Ranger air defense system also effectively destroys Russian Orlan-10 reconnaissance drones, which have a low thermal signature.
High mobility
The Rapid Ranger air defense system weighs only 500 kg, has a modular design, and can be mounted on most wheeled vehicles—pickup trucks, specialized armored vehicles, as well as tracked vehicles.
The systems used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces are mounted on Spanish URO VAMTAC tactical off-road vehicles. These vehicles can reach speeds of up to 135 km/h, travel on public roads, quickly change positions, and cover long distances.
System’s cost-effective missiles
The LMM Martlet missiles of the air defense system are 1.3 meters long and weigh 13 kg. They can reach speeds of up to 1,800 km/h and engage targets at ranges of up to 7 km.
The British Rapid Ranger air defense system complements Ukraine’s existing light air defense system and bridges the gap between mobile fire groups and heavy, less maneuverable anti-aircraft missile systems.
Source: Defense Ministry of Ukraine
Ukraine strengthens air defense
Ukraine is currently moving toward developing its own air defense systems of all standards, stated Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to him, this includes all necessary air defense formats—systems, missiles, and so on. Particular attention is being paid to countering ballistic missiles.
Russian Shahed was shot down for the first time by a private air defense system. This happened in the skies over the Kharkiv region, stated Mykhailo Fedorov.
Meanwhile, US arsenals are running low, and Washington is delaying arms shipments to Europe. This means that Ukrainian air defense systems will also suffer from a shortage of ammunition.
