US and Europe team up to modernize Ukraine’s air defenses
Portal Defense Romania reports that during a meeting held on Friday, September 6, at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the USA announced that, together with European allies, they are actively working on developing a replacement for the Soviet air defense system S-300. This is a bold decision by the USA, the portal reports.
""With help from several European companies, the United States is working with Ukraine to design and build a substitute for the S-300 surface-to-air missile system and the R-27 air-to-air missile," said US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin in Germany. The development of this weapon by Ukraine's Western allies proves that the defenders' army still heavily relies on Soviet weaponry.
Defense Romania also notes that this will not change in the near future, although it is worth noting that post-Soviet technology in the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be partly replaced by Western technology.
USA and European allies to improve the Russian S-300 system
At the moment, no details are known about this "bold decision by the USA." It is also unclear which specific European countries are working on developing the new weapon in cooperation with the USA. The new system is only known to be an evolution of the Soviet S-300 complex, which remains one of the key elements of the Russian Federation's air defense—partly due to its effectiveness.
Defense Romania notes that the decision to improve the S-300 is likely due to strategic and operational considerations. This is because the S-300 is currently operational in Ukraine, and the local army knows how to use it. Developing the mentioned weapon is, therefore, a step forward, which will not entail significant difficulties regarding the necessary training for Ukrainians.
System to combat any aerial threat
Work on the S-300 system began in the late 1960s and was completed in the 1970s when it was introduced into service. In subsequent years, further development was decided, resulting in the work on the new system, S-400 Triumf.
The S-300 system is a highly effective weapon, allowing Russia to eliminate almost any threat in the airspace. It effectively combats airplanes, helicopters, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The latest missiles operated by this system have a length of 25 feet and a diameter of 1.6 feet. After launch, they reach a maximum speed of up to 4,350 mph, and the highest altitude at which they can intercept targets is 17 miles.
