After $1.3 billion in equipment losses, the US installs Ukrainian systems to protect its base from drones
Kyiv • UNN
The US Army has deployed the Sky Map system in Saudi Arabia to protect against drones. Losses from attacks include E-3G aircraft, KC-135, and AN/TPY-2 radar.
The US Army has deployed the Ukrainian Sky Map command and control system at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia after significant equipment losses due to Iranian drone attacks. This was reported by Defense Express, writes UNN.
Details
According to the publication, the system was installed in recent weeks to enhance protection against drone attacks, particularly those of the Shahed type.
During previous attacks, the US lost equipment worth approximately $1.3 billion. Specifically, an E-3G Sentry airborne early warning aircraft was destroyed, one KC-135 tanker was destroyed, and five more such aircraft were damaged.
The destruction of an AN/TPY-2 radar station, a key component of the THAAD missile defense system, was also reported.
Separately, there were reports of a possible loss of EC-130H electronic warfare aircraft, but there is currently no confirmation of this.
Ukrainian systems for protection
Against the backdrop of these losses, the US decided to use a Ukrainian solution – the Sky Map command and control system, developed by Sky Fortress.
The system is already being used in Ukraine to counter massive drone attacks.
The destruction of equipment has strategic consequences for the US. In particular, there are only about 20 AN/TPY-2 radar stations in the world, and only a few E-3G Sentry aircraft, which are no longer produced.
It is estimated that if the US had integrated similar drone countermeasures systems earlier, some of the losses could have been avoided.