Ukraine is negotiating with two countries regarding alternatives to PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems, which are capable of intercepting ballistic targets. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
What solutions Ukraine is considering and whether it is realistic to replace American missiles - military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko explained in a comment for UNN.
What PAC-3 alternatives is Ukraine considering?
The issue of countering ballistic missiles remains one of the most difficult for Ukrainian air defense. PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems are currently the key tool for intercepting such threats.
However, as the expert notes, Ukraine is already looking for other options, and they exist in several directions - from European to Israeli and Asian developments.
If we talk about alternatives, these could be Israeli systems that are already used to intercept ballistic missiles. It is also worth mentioning the Franco-Italian SAMP/T complex with new modifications of Aster-30 missiles, which are potentially capable of engaging ballistic targets.
He adds that solutions from Asian countries are also being considered.
There are options related to South Korean or Japanese technologies. They have relevant developments based on the same principles as PAC-3.
Re-export and political restrictions
Despite the availability of technologies, the key problem is not in production, but in supply. Many countries have restrictions on the transfer of weapons to states that are at war. That is why the option of re-export through third countries is being considered.
For example, Japan produces PAC-3 missiles, but it does not supply weapons to warring countries. Therefore, it can be either re-export through other states, or technology transfer, or adaptation of other missiles to these systems.
According to him, it may not only be about the physical transfer of missiles, but also about technological integration.
This could be either replacing the missiles themselves, or even adapting other solutions to Patriot platforms. But for this, a political solution and a logistical path must be found.
Will IRIS-T help against ballistic missiles?
Separately, the expert commented on the capabilities of the IRIS-T system, which is already used by Ukraine. Despite its high effectiveness against cruise missiles, it is not a complete solution for combating ballistic threats.
IRIS-T is a short and medium-range system that effectively works against subsonic targets, including cruise missiles. But there is no confirmed effectiveness against ballistic missiles yet.
Bet on the Persian Gulf countries
One of the most realistic directions is cooperation with Middle Eastern countries that already have significant stocks of PAC-3 missiles. This includes, in particular, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.
These countries have accumulated significant stocks of PAC-3 missiles. Theoretically, they could re-export a certain amount to Ukraine.
At the same time, such cooperation can be mutually beneficial.
There can be an exchange format - Ukraine shares its experience in combating drones, drone interceptor technologies, and the Persian Gulf countries transfer missiles to us to combat ballistic missiles.
He emphasized that this would allow partners to optimize the use of expensive missiles.
Patriot should shoot down ballistic missiles, not cheap drones. If they learn to use cheaper means more effectively against drones, they will be able to save resources and transfer some missiles to Ukraine.
Thus, Ukraine is indeed looking for alternatives to PAC-3, but no solution is simple. It is not only about technology, but also about politics, logistics, and international restrictions.
The most realistic option seems to be re-export or cooperation with countries that already have the necessary missiles. At the same time, there is currently no full-fledged replacement for Patriot systems, which makes the issue of countering ballistic missiles one of the key challenges for Ukraine.