Ukraine Faces Critical Shortage of Ballistic Missile Defense
Ukraine lacks adequate air defense systems to intercept ballistic and hypersonic missiles. Currently, only Patriot and SAMP/T systems are capable of countering such threats.
Ukraine continues to grapple with a severe shortage of air defense systems capable of shooting down ballistic missiles. While cruise missiles and Shahed one-way attack drones can be intercepted by most air defense systems or aircraft, ballistic and hypersonic missiles present a far greater challenge. Currently, only two systems in Ukraine's arsenal – the American Patriot and the Franco-Italian SAMP/T – are able to intercept them. This situation poses significant risks to Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure, as Russia increasingly employs these advanced weapons. Experts emphasize the urgent need to increase deliveries of modern air defense systems to protect civilians and military assets. However, there is no clarity on when or if Ukraine will receive additional systems. In the meantime, Ukrainian forces must rely on their existing, limited capabilities.
