What air defense systems does Ukraine need to protect its skies effectively? - NV video report

An NV video report sheds light on why Ukraine requires a wide range of systems to defend its skies, from Patriot missiles and other air defense systems to electronic warfare (EW) capabilities and small strike aircraft.

Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, securing Ukrainian airspace has remained a challenge. Ukrainian officials and diplomats work diligently with Western partners to bolster the country's air defenses. However, questions persist regarding how much is required to control the skies, and whether Ukraine can depend exclusively on the long-anticipated F-16 aircraft?

Oleksandr Kovalenko, a military-political analyst from the Information Resistance project, explained that dozens of air defense systems are required to safeguard Ukraine from attacks.

"One Patriot battery should be sufficient when we talk about cities with populations of more than a million. A battery consists of 8 launchers, on average,” Kovalenko said.

But Patriot systems are only the start. Other air defense systems must work with the American systems to ensure complete coverage.

"These include medium and short-range systems. These might be an IRIS-T or NASAMS battery, or some other modernized system like the Buk or Kub, as there is little difference between them regarding capability," Oleksandr Kovalenko explained.

These systems ensure Ukraine's protection against missile attacks. However, the next challenge is countering guided aerial bombs launched by Russian aircraft from temporarily occupied territories. Suppressing these attacks can be achieved through electronic warfare systems (EW).

"We don't have enough EW systems to completely cover even those areas where guided aerial bombs are frequently used," Kovalenko said.

To effectively counter fighters near the Ukrainian border or frontlines, aviation particularly F-16s, would be a strong option.

"If we get [Western aircraft], then the Russian aircraft carrying guided aerial bombs would be destroyed before they even reach their launch locations. Dozens of kilometers before they got close enough to drop their payloads," an analyst from Information Resistance said.

Enemy drones also pose a growing threat. Currently, mobile ground units can destroy them, but deploying small strike aircraft would counter the drones more effectively.

"These include, for example, the turboprop attack aircraft Tucano," Kovalenko said. Other options might include attack helicopters like Vipers or Cobras.

"The U.S. Army regularly auctions these helicopters off, as they are considered surplus property, Kovalenko noted.

“They have more than they need."

Ukraine thus needs a variety of different air defense systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and light attack aircraft to counter a range of Russian threats effectively. Procurement of these resources should have begun long ago on a large scale.

Ukraine is currently working to acquire new systems, especially Patriot missiles. Germany will soon transfer one Patriot system, while the Netherlands plans to provide the first batch of 18 F-16 fighter jets.

While Western allies are starting to provide key air defense and aircraft systems to help Ukraine defend itself, more is urgently needed.