Quick thread here on Russian attacks on Ukrainian power plants and electricity infrastructure — major issue obviously, but Ukraine's defenses against cruise missiles and drones are rapidly evolving, which will help, but the real issue is Iranian ballistic missiles...
Ukraine only has very limited and rudimentary anti-ballistic missile defenses via a handful of S-300V systems, and those are needed to keep traditional Russian airpower at bay, which is absolutely critical...
Iranian ballistic missile work, they carry a much larger payload than the Shahed drones and hit way harder than the land-attack cruise missiles. Russia is low on Iskander-M SRBMs so they are not the threat they were, and they need to keep a good reserve of them for...
strategic purposes beyond the war in Ukraine. So, if (really when) the Iranian ballistic missiles arrive, they will likely be turned on electricity infrastructure to absolutely devastating results. These are big targets well within the missile's accuracy envelope...
If the supply is in the hundreds to start as we think is the case, this could be a major problem for Ukraine going into winter. The primary western air defense system that exists in significant numbers that can defend critical areas against these types of missiles is the...
Patriot system, especially later variants including PAC-3, but supplying them to Ukraine is no simple task. They require a LOT of training both in their tactical employment and sustainment, they are technologically sensitive, and they are very much prized...
commodities around the world. Still, America's top uniformed officer has floated that supplying them is a possibility, but once again, unless NATO enters the conflict by directly deploying Patriot batteries to Ukraine or some sort of contractor arrangement (unlikely)...
is put into play, it's not like these can just show up in weeks or even months. I know this is troubling, but it is the reality of the situation...
There are other options but the arsenal depth of interceptors and availability are key here. These could be engaging a lot of targets etc. So, a lot is riding on not seeing those Iranian missile shipments show up in Russia. The world has done little to curtail this with...
the above-board levers it has to pull sadly. The clandestine side of the equation is a total unknown of course and Israel is likely very troubled by all this. The cash and whatever else Tehran is getting for these weapons is certainly a problem for Israel...
But that doesn't mean they will do anything about it at this time. There has been some movement there though, Israel now says it will help Ukraine with acquiring and activating surveillance systems the country needs to help defend against Iranian weapons...
This sounds like too little to many, and that is certainly fair, but don't discount this contribution. Israel has the most advanced layered air defense system on this planet, with unique sensors that enable it. This includes the exact types of systems Ukraine...
needs to be able to spot, track, and help engage Iranian drones and cruise missiles. They have developed this capability out of necessity, it exceeds anything the U.S. can offer. They know the long-range suicide drone war is the next combat frontier for them and they are...
and have been actively developing sensors, including airborne look-down sensors (critical!) to defend against hordes of low and slow flying small signature drones. This is exactly the early warning and track data Ukraine needs badly...
They also have the ability to move fast and get systems in play to impact these Iranian weapons. Of course, once again, other measures could be in play clandestinely...
And Israel knows better than anyone the weaknesses even in Iran's proven ballistic missile capabilities, not just from a battlefront angle but others as well. Even non kinetic countermeasures, cyber capabilities, and more could help here in some fashion...
So I know this is troubling news, but there is movement in positive directions as well. Things can change fast, and what is today, may not be the case tomorrow.
As always, excuse typos, thank you for taking the time to read and I look forward to hearing your thoughts below.
As always, excuse typos, thank you for taking the time to read and I look forward to hearing your thoughts below.
Some supporting links:
Critical link: thedrive.com/the-war-zone/4…
And especially this, from last week before Iran was sending BMs: thedrive.com/the-war-zone/c…
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