Tomahawk vs Russian air defense: how Russian equipment will shoot down US missiles - analyst

Share: Russian air defenses shot down Tomahawk missiles 25 years ago when the United States used the weapon during Operation Allied Force in what was then Yugoslavia. Since then, the capabilities of military equipment have increased, so there is a high chance that most Western missiles are unlikely to reach the target, the analyst believes. In Yugoslavia, radar tracking, surface-to-air missiles, guns and electronic means were used to counter the Tomahawks, analysts Brandon J.

Weichert explained on The National Interest portal. Weichert proposed a realistic assessment of the capabilities of the Russian air defense system, which has been developing for 25 years, so it will probably be able to counter Western weapons in 2025. The events mentioned by Weihert took place in 1999, according to the article. The US military did not officially confirm the downing of the Tomahawks, but the analyst cited publications that said so.

In addition, after the use of these missiles in Syria, the Russians reported that they found debris with parts of the INS inertial navigation system, which they could use for future countermeasures. It is explained that the Russian multi-layer air defense system with S-125 "Neva"/"Pechora", 2K12 "Kub", and older S-75/SA-2 systems can quite cope with American weapons. It is indicated that if the radar is correctly aimed "it is possible to hit targets at low altitude.

" All that is needed for this is experienced radar operators and a network of sensors, as well as jamming and falsification of guidance signals, the expert clarified. "If the Serbs were able to do this using relatively old Soviet technology, few doubt that the Russians can shoot down similar cruise missiles today," the analyst wrote.

The article notes that the Russian Federation has created a complex air defense system and, in addition, roughly guesses what goals the Armed Forces may be interested in. According to Weichert, the Russians have already concentrated a defense complex near these objects, created a backup system of sensors and communication. According to his assessment, several successful strikes by the Ukrainians "will not be able to destroy the command, control or destroy the systems necessary for their defense.

" He reminded the analyst that the Kremlin has repeatedly threatened "red lines" if Ukraine receives too powerful weapons. In his opinion, if the conditional "Tomahawks" were transferred back in 2014, then it would be possible to deal with the Russians even then. It should be noted that on Friday, October 17, US President Donald Trump may announce the provision of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, Western media reported.