Ukraine should already be thinking about replacing the existing Buk-M1 and S-300 complexes with other models.

Ukrainian skies are currently insufficiently protected, as Ukraine still needs a lot of anti-aircraft defenses. In addition, ammunition and spare parts for Soviet-style complexes in service with the Armed Forces are running out.

As Yuriy Ignat, the speaker of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, noted on the air of the FREEDOM TV channel, although the Western weapons that have arrived in Ukraine have strengthened the defense of the sky, it is not yet necessary to talk about closing the airspace of the entire country.

“Probably, very little is protected today, a lot is still needed, I will answer you this way. Because the funds that were provided by our Western partners strengthened some regions on the front line, in other directions, but Ukraine still needs a lot of anti-aircraft weapons. of defense, in order to strengthen And to close the entire country in general is a very difficult issue today. It has already arrived, it has significantly strengthened, but it is not necessary to talk about closing the whole of Ukraine yet,” he explained.

According to Ignat, Ukraine should already think about replacing the existing Buk-M1 and S-300 complexes with other models.

“I want to say that we should not just close more space now, but think about the future, think about tomorrow, because these Buk-M1 and S-300 complexes, which are in service with the Armed Forces, we will have to be replaced sooner or later – most likely, soon – with other complexes. Because both the ammunition and the spare parts for them are already being depleted, and are being depleted very seriously during hostilities, during the war that Russia is waging against us. – added the spokesman of the Air Force.

He emphasized that Ukraine has no other way out but to receive, in one way or another, the Western systems that are already working in our country.

“I mean now the Air Force, and these are the NASAMS complexes, the IRIS-T complexes, which are currently being manufactured by Germany for Ukraine. Also, long-range complexes that are capable of hitting ballistic targets. This is the Patriot in a certain modification, as well as the SAMP-T – French complexes that can help Ukraine protect the airspace,” Ignat stressed.

The speaker of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces also talked about whether Ukraine can maintain its air defense systems. According to him, before the start of the full-scale war of Russia against Ukraine, work in this direction was carried out.

“Steps were defined in our defense department to provide some kind of action plan for the creation of an anti-aircraft missile complex or an anti-aircraft missile system of Ukrainian production. KB “Promin”, KB “Pivdenne” worked on these developments and provided their plan for the creation of a Ukrainian air defense system: But, unfortunately, so far these are only plans, and their implementation is unclear, in what perspective, because it is not so easy to create such an advanced weapon that will be efficiently and mass-produced… It takes years, billions of infusions are needed to develop these systems,” summarized Ignat.

Air defense for Ukraine: help from partners

Due to missile strikes and drone attacks by the Russian Federation on Ukraine, the partners promise to provide our country with more air defense systems.

Such a statement has already been made by the leaders of the “Big Seven” countries (Germany, Great Britain, USA, Canada, France, Italy and Japan).

In addition, the media reports that the White House is finalizing preparations for sending American Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine.

At the same time, Russia said that the transfer of Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine could lead to unforeseen consequences. Russian propaganda media disseminated the corresponding comment of the Russian Embassy in Washington. It says that the transfer of air defense would be “another provocative step” by the White House.