US Anti-Radiation Missiles Used in Ukraine Not Making a Difference in the Battlefield

Claims that US anti-radiation missile hit their targets is inaccurate, said a Russian outlet. According to Russia, these anti-radar missiles were shot down in the air on Saturday.

High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles of the US

Around the middle of August, the United States delivered AGM-88 HARM missile systems to Ukraine. According to open sources, the missiles are mounted on Ukrainian MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft, reported EurAsian Times.

As stated by the source, the anti-radar missiles had no consequence on the Ukrainian battlefield. Many were knocked down by air defense batteries or were nullified by digital air defense system protection.

Kyiv's claims are mistaken, and some HARM missiles were spoofed so much that they missed the target. An explanation for the exaggerated claims of the US is how efficient the HARM is countered by the pathetic maximum speed of the missile, with its bleak trajectory seen on the way in.

A source added that Ukrainian planes are afraid of getting shot down by Russian anti-air missiles by releasing them too far. This poor strategy only gives time for systems to lock on and detect air defense batteries, then take them down, which does not mention, noted Pipa News.

One of the issues with anti-Radar missiles is that they are released in a timed salvo, which causes problems because missile batteries are constantly identifying the main threat. Ukrainian forces have failed to destroy any Russian air defense radar systems, including illumination and engagement radars, where forces are armed with HARM missiles.

AGM-88 HARM Missiles Were Shot Down

The United States Air Force first used these US anti-radiation missiles in 1983, with a maximum air speed of 2,280 kilometers per second. If launched at a high altitude, its full launch range is 100 kilometers.

But based on the specifications of the Russian AS-17 Krypton and AS-11 Kilter anti-radar missiles, their maximum speeds are more than 1,000 and 1,100 meters per second, with a max distance of more than 200 kilometers.

Krypton and Kilter are far better than the HARM, which is older and has a poor specifications, but Kyiv touts it far better.

According to Politico, Ukrainian officials want the Biden administration to give a Patriot air defense system, including old F-16 Fighting Falcons; there are moves to drop Kyiv, but Biden does not want to.

A report published on Friday, citing the Ukrainian government, Pentagon officials, and defensive systems industry executives, Washington and Kyiv are trying to discuss what armaments the United States might make available to Ukrainians as Russian forces demolish the HIMARS units sent there.

Based on the info, advisers to the Ukrainian lead have begun a move to lessen the request for modern weapons. The White House told them to deal with their offensive first.

There is some doubt that ranting Ukraine will be given any of the scarce Patriot systems, let alone keep the F-16s flying; overall, there is no certainty that Ukraine will be able to handle either system. But some officials are considering the outrageous request of President Zelensky despite the reality of Ukraine's capability.

Weapons are on the way with the $15.8 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, with HIMARS included with another modern armament. The US anti-radiation missiles weren't as effective as claimed and never hit their targets, probably due to being an older weapon susceptible to spoofing by electronic jamming.