The Buk-M1 air defense system, which uses Ukrainian air defense, was converted to use American missiles.
This was stated by Yurii Ihnat, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, in his interview with Radio NV.
According to him, such modified air defense systems with American missiles have already been tested at a test site in the United States.
“There is an announcement from our Western partners (we have already confirmed it) that we have good results of combat use at the United States anti-aircraft missile systems Buk-М1, which are converted and adapted to American missiles, which can strengthen our air defense,” Ignat said.
According to the spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, the missiles of the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow were adapted to the launchers of the Ukrainian Buk-М1 air defense systems.
“They [protect], albeit in a small radius. Sea Sparrow missiles will be able to help protect critical infrastructure facilities first,” said Yurii Ihnat.
He noted that anti-aircraft missiles for Buk-М1 and S-300 air defense systems are produced only in Russia, so Ukraine should look for ways to “crossbreed a Soviet with an American.”
The colonel also added that Ukraine needs a large number of Buks, converted to American missiles and HAWK SAMs, which, although morally obsolete, are already showing results in Ukraine.
Adaptation of American missiles
Earlier, American media reported that, in cooperation with American and Ukrainian engineers, a technical solution was born that will allow the Buk air defense system to use RIM-7 missiles. In addition, the AIM-9M Sidewinder aircraft missile was adapted for other air defense systems. This decision in the media was called FrankenSAM.
For such a modification, radars and other components that were provided by the allies of the United States and Ukraine were used.
RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles have already been included in previous military aid packages from the United States and Belgium in particular.
The American part expects that modified air defense systems will significantly strengthen the capabilities of the Ukrainian air defense system during the period when a new wave of Russian rocket attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure is expected, as well as the mass use of strike drones.