The air defense of a large country is difficult.
People have forgotten the insane density (and cost) of NATO's Cold War SAM belts.
In Germany alone the HAWK belt consisted of (from North to South):
• 24× German
• 12× Dutch
• 8x Belgian
• 35× US Army
• 12× German
1/8
People have forgotten the insane density (and cost) of NATO's Cold War SAM belts.
In Germany alone the HAWK belt consisted of (from North to South):
• 24× German
• 12× Dutch
• 8x Belgian
• 35× US Army
• 12× German
1/8
HAWK sites, each of which was filled with radars and missile launchers. (Photo: the Dutch HAWK site on Velmerstot in Germany).
Between the SAM belt and the border mobile radars, and short range air defense systems like Gepard, Roland, Chaparral, VADS, etc. as well as mobile
2/8
Between the SAM belt and the border mobile radars, and short range air defense systems like Gepard, Roland, Chaparral, VADS, etc. as well as mobile
2/8
Javelin and Stinger teams covered the units operating there.
And behind the HAWK SAM (Surface to Air Missile) belt followed a second SAM belt, with long range NIKE HERCULES missiles, which carried nuclear warheads. All this was backed up by German, US Air Force, British
3/8
And behind the HAWK SAM (Surface to Air Missile) belt followed a second SAM belt, with long range NIKE HERCULES missiles, which carried nuclear warheads. All this was backed up by German, US Air Force, British
3/8
Dutch, Belgian, and Canadian air bases, with 2,000+ fighter jets.
In 1980s the HAWKs were replaced with Patriot systems, which carried more missiles with greater range and were mobile. Around 100 Patriot fire units were planned to be acquired for Germany's defense alone.
4/8
In 1980s the HAWKs were replaced with Patriot systems, which carried more missiles with greater range and were mobile. Around 100 Patriot fire units were planned to be acquired for Germany's defense alone.
4/8
In Germany the NATO SAM belts had an approximate length of 800km. A Ukrainian SAM belt would have a length of about 1,600km.
So even if Ukraine receives 7× more Patriot systems (which I hope), then only key cities can be protected - not the entire country... and no cities
5/8
So even if Ukraine receives 7× more Patriot systems (which I hope), then only key cities can be protected - not the entire country... and no cities
5/8
close to the russian border.
I.e. Kharkiv, Sumy, Shostka are too close to the border with russia or in case of Zaporizhzhia is too close to the front for deploying a Patriot system as russia's Smerch rockets can deliver cluster munitions up to 90km.
So, yes: Ukraine NEEDS
6/8
I.e. Kharkiv, Sumy, Shostka are too close to the border with russia or in case of Zaporizhzhia is too close to the front for deploying a Patriot system as russia's Smerch rockets can deliver cluster munitions up to 90km.
So, yes: Ukraine NEEDS
6/8
more Patriot batteries, and modern fighter jets, and medium range systems like NSAMS, and IRIS-T, and short range systems like Gepard and Skyranger, but due to the size of Ukraine (and the lack of air defense systems in the West) there is no chance to protect all of Ukraine
7/8
7/8
from russian missile attacks... the only way to do that is to help Ukraine strike at russian missile and drone factories, and russian air bases and missile sites INSIDE russia.
If we want to save cities like Kharkiv, then Ukraine must be given offensive weapons - and a lot!
8/8
If we want to save cities like Kharkiv, then Ukraine must be given offensive weapons - and a lot!
8/8
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