Air Force reveals what can significantly help effectively protect Ukrainian sky
The receipt of the Norwegian mobile battery of NASAMS medium-range anti-aircraft missiles will significantly strengthen the defense of Ukrainian skies. Ukraine is already working on the issue with the manufacturer.
This was announced by the spokesman for the Air Force Command, Yuriy Ihnat, who spoke at the national telethon, Ukrinform reports.
Currently, Ukraine is working with a Norwegian manufacturer to obtain NASAMS (Norwegian mobile battery of medium-range anti-aircraft missiles - ed.). The official explained that there is a queue for the purchase of these systems and, since there was no application from Ukraine, the nation cannot get many of them. At the same time, the positive decision on the part of the USA, which produces missiles for this system, as well as the Norwegian manufacturer, offers a "green light" for Ukraine.
Also, Ihnat said that the operations of Ukraine’s Air Force in wartime has its own specifics because its units must constantly change positions to avoid missile attacks.
"The Air Force operates in a war situation with new approaches and in an environment where you need to constantly move, constantly avoid enemy missile attacks. Enemy reconnaissance is out there. Ukrainian air defense is working in such conditions today. Is it effective? It certainly is," said the spokesman.
According to the official, the forces and means that Ukraine employs in the fight against an occupier that is technological and numerically superior are outdated, therefore it will be necessary to develop own air defense system, strengthen it with modern models of anti-missile and anti-aircraft defense.
Ihnat emphasized that a state like Ukraine cannot exist without air cover. Ukraine has fighter, attack, and bomber aircraft, but they are Soviet-era and their stocks are low. At the same time, the spokesman expressed hope that Ukraine will soon receive aircraft from international partners that will allow Ukraine to get better protection from enemy bombings.
"They will provide (planes - ed.) soon," Ihnat promised.
He believes that the priority now is to protect Ukrainians from missile attacks, since the transfer of fighter jets and planes is not a quick process.
Commenting on the issue of missile strikes, Ihnat noted that the enemy is trying to confuse Ukraine’s defense forces and act covertly. The Ukrainian military is able to monitor almost all missiles launched by the enemy, but the question remains of how to counter them. According to the spokesman, the enemy launches missiles from various areas, including Belarus, Russia, the Caspian Sea, and the Black Sea. Cruise missiles are invisible on radar, flying at extremely low altitudes, so civilians are able to capture them on video.
Missiles are very expensive and it is possible to shoot them down, but it remains very difficult, the spokesman noted, adding that Ukraine will strengthen its modern air defense and anti-missile systems.
As reported by Ukrinform, on July 7, the Air Defense Forces destroyed two cruise missiles, an ammunition depot, two command and control posts, and ten units of military equipment.
Photo from open sources