Ukraine awaits air defense boost to counter Russian cruise missiles and drones
Photo: Ukraine will receive weapons to destroy Shahed drones and cruise missiles (Getty Images)
Ukraine will soon receive a large shipment of AIM missiles, which Ukrainian soldiers use to shoot down Russian cruise missiles and jet drones, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
AIM missiles have been in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces for several years. In particular, they are used on F-16 aircraft and NASAMS ground-based air defense systems. The most convenient targets for them are enemy helicopters, jet drones, and cruise missiles.
In total, there are about a dozen different modifications of AIM missiles. Three of them are actively used in Ukraine. Missiles of this series operate on a fire-and-forget principle and are resistant to electronic warfare measures.
AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is the smallest missile in this series. It is effective in close air combat against helicopters and drones, and is 3 meters long and weighs about 90 kg. The warhead is a fragmentation-high-explosive type consisting of 200 titanium fragmentation rods.
The missile reaches speeds of up to 3,000 km/h with a range of up to 35 km. It has an infrared guidance head and is detonated by a non-contact laser or radio frequency detonator.
AIM-120 Amraam
The medium-range missile of the AIM series effectively destroys helicopters, aircraft, cruise missiles, and jet drones. AIM-120 Amraam missiles can destroy air targets beyond line of sight using an active radar guidance system, i.e., their own radar.
The missile is 3.7 meters long, weighs about 160 kg, and has a speed of up to 4,900 km/h. Its warhead weighs 20 kg, and its range is up to 75 km. A modified version can effectively destroy enemy targets at a distance of up to 180 km.
AIM-7 Sparrow
The Sparrow is the largest missile in the AIM series, effectively destroying helicopters, aircraft, cruise missiles, and jet drones such as the Shahed-234 or Geran-3. The missile, equipped with a fragmentation warhead, reaches speeds of up to 4,900 km/h, with a range of up to 70 km.
Canada will soon transfer AIM missiles to Ukraine to strengthen its air defense and counter Russian cruise missiles.
Earlier, European countries agreed to increase their assistance to Ukraine in the field of air defense, focusing on joint purchases of modern anti-aircraft systems.