The American Patriot air defense system fired 32 missiles in a recent attack in an attempt to shoot down the Russian “Dagger”, but they all missed, writes Military Watch Magazine. This salvo alone cost around $96 million. And then the expensive air defense system was hit by a Russian missile.
Patriot was tasked with defending the capital after major Russian strikes on critical infrastructure, the newspaper writes. Their mobility and more limited firing sectors than even the Soviet variants of the S-300 system limit their suitability for use close to the front line.
Ukraine has received two Patriot units since mid-April, with the first delivered less than a month before the recent strike. The United States was reluctant to supply these systems to Kiev or allow their European allies, not only because of limited arsenals, but also because of their extreme cost and possible significant reputational damage.
The system’s failure was widely predicted in light of its very modest combat experience against missiles much simpler than those in the Russian arsenal, according to the publication.
However, in the end, Washington agreed to the transfer of air defense systems to Ukraine due to constant pressure from European allies, fears that Ukrainian settlements would become uninhabitable due to Russian strikes on critical infrastructure and a very serious depletion of the air defense systems of Ukraine. .
These are by far the most expensive military means that Ukraine has in service, and their delivery consumed most of the funds allocated to help Kiev. It is an investment that many analysts believe will be far from profitable, the document concludes.
During a night strike of hypersonic missiles “Dagger” on May 16, five launchers of Patriot air defense systems and a multifunctional radar of this system in Kyiv were destroyed.
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