The Ukrainian army is returning to combat duty six types of anti-aircraft missile systems.

The number of combat-ready complexes in the anti-aircraft missile forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will increase by one-third. These installations are capable of destroying enemy cruise missiles, airplanes and "drones". To such an optimistic forecast, experts are inclined, if the efforts of the Ministry of Defense, enterprises of the Ukroboronprom and private firms will yield results. To date, almost all types of SAM were withdrawn from the combat arsenal in the period from 2003 to 2013. To this armament there was a considerable stock of missiles, which will have the opportunity to "shake the old days".

A protective shield over Ukraine today is held by Soviet missile systems and systems of two types of development: self-propelled medium-range air defense systems S-300PS and Buk-M1. They are capable of hitting enemy targets at a maximum distance of 75 and 32 km and an altitude of up to 27 km and 22 km, respectively. There are about fifty divisions of such air defense systems.

With sufficient training of personnel and serviceability of all anti-aircraft missile systems - this is a powerful striking force. The leadership of the armed forces decided to increase the number of air defense assets. This is due to the need to cover the troops on the line of contact with the enemy - both in active and in positional defense, as well as sealing the cover of the most important objects ("millionaire" cities, nuclear power stations, hydroelectric dams, etc.).

The 6 types of anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes are planned to be returned to the system at once: three short-range SAM systems - the transported C-125, the self-propelled "Tor" and the "Cube". Two medium ranges are the transported C-300PT and a mobile universal anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense system designed to cover the maneuverable military operations of its troops. And the last one is the C-200V long-range system.

The S-200V long-range anti-aircraft missile system deserves special attention. She was put into service with the USSR back in the 70s. This is a stationary complex, which seems to be a bit old for the present time. However, such an "old-timer" is capable of hitting targets within a radius of 240 km and an altitude range from 300 m to 40 km with missiles. The C-200B divisions will be able to destroy enemy aircraft even before they reach the line from which they can use their weapons. "Dvuhsotka" will be effective in intercepting reconnaissance aircraft and jamming aircraft, and air command posts that cannot enter the airspace of Ukraine.

Returning anti-aircraft missile weapons to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in a short time is a rather difficult task. There is no repair documentation for individual air defense systems. Therefore, in fact, the task comes down to the fact that you will need reverse engineering of units and blocks, their repair or restoration to return the complexes to combat formation and their intended use. At the same time, the task of modernizing the complexes sent for medium refurbishment to the enterprises of Ukroboronprom and to private companies has not yet been set. It should be noted that some air defense systems, for example the S-125M Pechora, have sufficient potential to improve their combat capabilities.

The installation on 5V27D missiles of new active or semi-active guidance heads developed by the Kiev company "Radionix" will increase the maximum range of target destruction from 18 to 40 km, and the height from 18 dollars to 25 km.

The most "advanced" version of this weapon opens up the possibility of shelling eight enemy targets simultaneously. The complex has already been tested in operation with the launch of missiles with a semi-active head in practice, but outside of Ukraine.

Responsibility for the extension of the resource of all anti-aircraft missile systems and systems other than S-200V, which are in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine or will be returned in the near future, is assigned to the state Kyiv design bureau "Luch" and another metropolitan enterprise "Vizar". Both of them are part of the group of companies "Ukroboronprom."

Based on the materials of the publication "Korrespondent" Ukraine.