Ukraine is facing a shortage of missiles, and not just for the Patriot air defence systems. There is also a shortage of ammunition for other ground-based air defence systems and combat aircraft. This was stated by Yuriy Ignat, head of the Communications Department at the Ukrainian Air Force Command. Against the backdrop of intensifying Russian combined attacks, the issue of regularly replenishing stocks of interceptors remains one of the key factors in defending Ukrainian airspace.
The missile shortage is not limited to the Patriot system
Ignat stressed that the issue of ensuring Ukraine’s air defence should not be reduced solely to American Patriot systems.
The Air Force employs a comprehensive, multi-layered system comprising various types of ground-based air defence systems, fighter aircraft, mobile fire support units, electronic warfare assets and interceptor drones.
On 24 August, Ignat reiterated that Ukraine is experiencing shortage of interceptor missiles. According to him, during large-scale attacks, when the enemy concentrates a large number of different weapons in a single direction, it is extremely difficult to destroy absolutely all targets.
The issue is particularly acute when cruise missiles, guided air-to-air missiles, attack drones and other airborne attack assets are deployed simultaneously.
F-16s and Mirage aircraft are being actively deployed in air defence operations
Aviation has become an important part of Ukraine’s air defence system.
According to Ignat, F-16s and French Mirage jets have demonstrated excellent performance in intercepting cruise missiles, jet-powered drones and S8000 «Banderol» loitering munitions». Alongside Western aircraft, Ukraine continues to operate Su-25s, Su-24s, Su-27s and MiG-29s.
At the same time, aircraft carrying out such missions also require air-to-air missiles. Ignat has previously emphasised that partners need to regularly replenish not only their stocks of ground-based air defence missiles, but also their airborne munitions.
Thus, shortage of ammunition affects several levels of Ukraine’s air defence simultaneously.
The Air Force has requested hundreds of Patriot missiles for the winter
The President outlined the scale of the needs the day before Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to him, the Air Force’s request amounts to 360 missiles for the Patriot system, and Ukraine is trying to secure at least around 300 interceptors to see it through the coming winter.
Zelenskyy acknowledged that securing such a quantity is no easy task due to limited global production capacity; therefore, Kyiv is in talks regarding a portion of US stocks and is prepared to pay for these supplies.
The problem is not limited to Patriot. The President also spoke of a shortage of missiles Aster 30 for SAMP/T systems. Ukraine has contracts for the additional production of such interceptors and plans to expand their production.
Russia is attempting to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defence system
The shortage is becoming particularly acute due to the change in the scale and structure of Russian attacks.
On the night of 24 August, the Russian Federation launched an attack on Ukraine 143 strike and other unmanned aerial vehicles, two «Onyx» missiles and six X-31P and X-59 guided air-to-ground missiles. Air defences neutralised 114 aerial targets, but hits were recorded at 22 locations.
According to Ignat, when the enemy concentrates various types of weaponry in a single region at the same time, the strain on the air defence system increases sharply.
It is therefore still crucial for Ukraine not only to acquire new systems, but also a continuous supply of missiles to existing ground-based systems and aircraft.
