Like so much of Russia’s most hyped military equipment, its hypersonic Kinzhal missile has not performed as expected during the invasion of Ukraine.
In early May, Ukrainian forces shot down a Kinzhal missile. The Kremlin has claimed this missile can overcome all existing air defense systems, but obviously, the Kinzhal was not impervious to the American-made MIM-104 Patriot missile used in the interception.
This incident was significant since it marked the first time Kyiv was able to take down this advanced Russian weapon.
By the end of 2024, the U.S. will hand over five additional Patriot systems to Ukraine.
Why Kyiv Needs the Patriot System
In the early months of Russia’s invasion, Ukraine was extremely vulnerable to missile and unmanned aerial vehicle barrages. On a near-daily basis, these attacks were injuring and killing many Ukrainians as well as destroying critical infrastructure and public spaces. In an effort to aid Kyiv’s defensive capabilities against such barrages, the U.S. provided the country with arguably the most sophisticated air defense systems on the planet. This week, the U.S. defense contractor that produces the systems revealed it would increase its annual output to 12 Patriots. According to Raytheon Technologies’ chief executive, the defense giant has been “very surprised” at the system’s effectiveness. Kyiv currently operates the sole American-delivered Patriot in addition to one provided by Germany and the Netherlands.
“The Patriot will contribute to the air defense capabilities that Ukraine already has,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder. “It’s something that will enable them to take down … ballistic missiles, adversary aircraft; [it’s] really up to them on how they employ it. But this is part of a broader effort by the United States and the international community to provide Ukraine with the air defense capabilities that it needs to defend its population and its armed forces.”
Specs and Capabilities
While Raytheon is the main producer of the Patriot, Boeing and Lockheed Martin also manufacture the system. The Patriot first entered service in the U.S. military in 1981 and has been subsequently used in the Gulf War, Iraq War, and the Syrian Civil War, among many other conflicts over the years. Due to its formidable capabilities, the Patriot has been widely exported. As outlined by CSIS, “The Patriot missile defense system consists of six major components: a 1) missile, 2) launcher, 3) radar set, 4) control station, 5) power generator unit, and 6) high-frequency antenna mast. Earlier variants of the Patriot use a blast-fragmentation warhead while newer variants possess more sophisticated hit-to-kill technology.”
According to NATO, the Patriot has a range of over 93 miles.
Over the next year, Kyiv will also receive dozens of advanced Western main battle tanks. Moscow, on the other hand, has seen much of its stockpile of weapons destroyed since the war’s onset. The Kremlin does receive lethal drones from its rogue ally, Iran, but the equipment Kyiv is procuring is superior. As Ukraine’s counteroffensive escalates in the upcoming months, the Patriot missile system will certainly play a leading role in Kyiv’s efforts to recapture territory. Specifically, the Patriot has now been proven to be an effective counter to Moscow’s hypersonic weapons.
Maya Carlin, a Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
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