Ukraine is working on developing its own air defense system, General Oleksandr Shirushkyi said in an interview with Ukrainian news agency TSN on January 19.
Ukraine is asking international partners to strengthen its air defense capabilities in response to increased Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.
“Back in Soviet times, in fact, we manufactured all the control systems of anti-aircraft systems. That is, we had the ability and ability to create our own domestic air defense complexes, and in the creation We’re working on it,” Silsky told TSN.
He said Ukraine’s domestic system aims to rival the U.S.-made Patriot air defense system.
Shirushkyi said the threat posed by Russia’s new medium-range ballistic missile Oreshnik is a strong incentive for Kyiv to build its own anti-missile air defense system. Silsky said there are only a few air defense systems capable of defeating Oreshnik, and Ukraine does not yet have such capabilities.
“This encourages us to build our own air defense system, which is not just an air defense system, but also an anti-missile system,” he said.
“This will encourage us to actively negotiate with our allies to acquire such systems. And of course this will help us build modern missile systems that can serve as a deterrent against the use of such weapons by Russia.” It should encourage you to do so.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has argued that Western air defense systems are not capable of intercepting Oleshnik missiles and has gone so far as to propose a “high-tech duel” with the West, including launching an Oleshnik over Kiev.
The United States operates Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), which is designed to intercept intermediate-range ballistic missiles. The system is not supplied to Ukraine and has never been tested against Oleshnik.
In an interview, Shirschiy said that work on developing Ukraine’s own anti-missile system has already begun.
He said: “Work is ongoing and active progress is being made in this direction. We hope to see the desired results in the near future.”
Ukraine aims to spend a record $35 billion on weapons production in 2025, according to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. The Ukrainian government is expected to provide $17 billion, but allies could provide the rest.
Umerov announced on January 13 that Britain had agreed to finance the production of air defense systems and long-range weapons in Ukraine.
Ukraine War Update: Ukraine attacks two Russian oil depots overnight. Zelenskiy imposes sanctions on influential pro-Russian politicians
Key developments on January 19: * Ukraine attacks two Russian oil depots overnight * President Zelenskiy imposes sanctions on pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine * Appeal over medical shortages and troop transfer issues Most common cause of withdrawal from Ukrainian military, says new military ombudsman
