Germany's latest military aid boosts Ukraine's air defense
Another package of military equipment from Germany has reached Ukraine. It includes critically important self-propelled anti-aircraft Cheetah PRTL systems and TRML-4D radars. Here's why this equipment is considered key for the Ukrainians.
Ukraine has received two TRML-4D radars and three self-propelled anti-aircraft Cheetah PRTL systems, which Germany purchased from Jordan. They are part of a larger package that includes armoured equipment and ammunition.
Due to the exhaustion of its own anti-aircraft resources, Ukraine is now largely reliant on the support of Western countries. One of the most crucial assets is modern radars, which are essential for monitoring the airspace around critical infrastructure.
An essential issue is the cost-effective elimination of Shahed drones and cruise missiles. Cannon-based anti-aircraft systems like the Gepard excel in this area, and the former Dutch Cheetah PRTL systems are even better. Depending on the number of missiles fired, a series can cost from a few thousand to over 10,000 euros.
TRML-4D radars: modern European technology for Ukraine
TRML-4D radars are modern constructions equipped with AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) technology, allowing for the detection of challenging objects and strong resistance to electronic warfare systems.
According to Hensoldt, the radar's manufacturer, these radars can detect and track up to 1,500 objects with an effective reflective surface of 0.01 square feet at a distance of up to 155 miles. Additionally, they are 360-degree radars, capable of handling attacks from multiple directions—unlike the sectoral Patriot system radar, which operates within a 120-degree range.
The radar can use a continuous beam for highly challenging targets, where updating the target's position within a second is insufficient. However, this limits its detection angle to 100 degrees. The radar software also allows target classification into cruise missiles, drones, airplanes, and helicopters.
This target segmentation enables a connected anti-aircraft system, such as NASAMS or IRIS-T SLS/SLM, to prioritize targets and defend a specific object more effectively.
Cheetah PRTL: low-cost hunter of drones and Ch-101 missiles purchased from Jordan
After exhausting the possibility of acquiring more Gepards, Germany, along with the USA, decided to purchase 45 former Dutch Cheetah PRTL systems from Jordan at a significantly inflated price.
These vehicles are very similar to Gepards but feature different radars. The Dutch units were upgraded to the CA2 and CA3 versions to improve communication and speed up target engagement. A muzzle velocity sensor was also implemented, and the systems were certified to use FAPDS-T (Frangible Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot - Tracer) ammunition. This ammunition is more effective and has a greater range (3 miles instead of 2.5 miles).
Despite these upgrades, the Cheetah PRTL retains the core features of the Gepard. Its main weapon is a pair of Oerlikon KDA L/R04 35/90 caliber 35 mm automatic cannons, each firing 550 rounds per minute for a total of 1,100 rounds per minute, all linked to a fire control radar.
