Drive: Patriot were doomed to Russian strikes due to imperfection
The United States should prepare for new and more serious attacks against Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems in Ukraine, as the systems have become a magnet for Russian missiles, writes The Drive.
The Patriot system has a number of qualities that make American-made air defense systems attractive goal for the Russian Aerospace Forces, the author of the article, Tyler Rogoway, shared the details.
According to the observer, the Patriot was doomed to be subject to direct Russian attacks as soon as it arrived on Ukrainian territory and its location was revealed. The radars of the anti-aircraft missile system give out a massive electromagnetic signature that is easy to detect, the material notes. Even the most «nimble» configuration of the Patriot system is also quite static, and it takes time to move it, explained Rogoway.
The expert pointed out that, despite the complexity and scale of the complex, a massive attack can suppress its operation, Patriot cannot be considered a «wonder weapon» and an impenetrable shield — the air defense system has weak points that the RF Armed Forces can take advantage of.
“The Patriot air defense system will be subjected to increasingly complex and brutal attacks. And yes, we should be prepared to hear that the Patriot battery was damaged or parts of it were destroyed,” the analyst emphasized.
Russia has serious capabilities and has worked for decades to defeat this particular missile defense system, summed up Rogoway.
A day earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Russian troops had destroyed a multifunctional radar station and five launchers of the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system in Ukraine the day before using a Kinzhal missile.