The Times (UK): British Starstreak MANPADS capable of tearing MiG apart
The British military is heading to a secret location in Eastern Europe to teach Ukrainians how to use a portable complex, the missile of which is capable of causing "catastrophic damage" to low-flying planes and helicopters, writes The Times. According to British Colonel Graham Taylor, it will make "Russians think."
Russian pilots will wonder whether it is worth climbing into the cabins of their planes when British soldiers teach Ukrainians to launch Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles, said Colonel Graham Taylor, commander of the Air Defense of the British Ground Forces.
The colonel coordinates the actions of ground-based air defense systems, and he says that the high-speed Starstreak missile is capable of causing "catastrophic" damage to low-flying enemy aircraft and helicopters.
According to him, the British military are heading to a secret place in Eastern Europe to teach Ukrainians how to use this portable complex, the rocket of which, after launch, develops a speed of over 3,200 kilometers per hour.
In flight, it is divided into three striking elements of the type of darts, which are aimed at the target by a laser beam by an operator from the ground and hit the enemy aircraft.
At a demonstration of this system at Baker Barracks on Thorney Island near Portsmouth, Taylor called Starstreak a "catastrophic" and "powerful" weapon, stating: "Anything that flies at Mach 2.5 has a very serious impact."
Tungsten elements "are very comfortable destroying assault aircraft," he said. Taylor noted that these are "some of the best short-range anti-aircraft missiles."
Answering the question of whether these complexes will help Ukrainians to create an effective no-fly zone from the ground, he said: "I cannot talk and give comments about the possibility or impossibility of creating a no-fly zone. But of course yes, land-based defense systems will be very effective in Ukraine. They will definitely have an impact and make the Russians think about whether it's worth flying."
The Ministry of Defense will send portable shoulder and tripod firing launchers to Ukraine, as well as a Starstreak simulator. In addition, Britain will send its military personnel to Poland, who, with the help of the Sky Sabre long-range missile system, will shoot down enemy aircraft flying into Polish airspace.
This will be done within the framework of a bilateral agreement on providing support to the Polish armed forces. However, such a step raises fears that a military conflict could move to NATO territory.
Unlike the American Stinger MANPADS, Starstreak does not have an autonomous homing system operating on the principle of "shot - forgot". In order for soldiers to use it effectively, long-term training is needed.
To master the shooting of MANPADS is the most difficult. It takes weeks of intensive preparation. The operator himself points the missile at the target, holding a 14-kilogram system in his hands. Before a soldier gets permission to launch a real rocket, he must hit the target 1,000 times on the simulator.
The operator must be able to capture and accompany a moving target at a distance of up to seven kilometers. The margin of error is two meters. During the show, one serviceman from the 7th Air Defense Group managed to hit a target simulator at a distance of four kilometers with an accuracy of 0.9 meters. He did it in a matter of seconds after detecting the target. For comparison, a reporter from The Times tried to do the same on the simulator, but after firing after a 30-second aiming, he missed the target by 23.3 meters, and this target flew 200 meters closer.
The operator of Starstreak, Chief Sergeant Katie Stock, who discovered and hit more than 3,000 targets during classes and exercises, said that whoever this missile is aimed at "will certainly blink, and then learn very bad news." She added: "The Stinger is poorly protected from countermeasures, but since the Starstreak missile is being guided to the target, it is very difficult to destroy it."
Some servicemen from the 7th Air Defense Group say that the training course can be shortened to a week, and that the most experienced Starstreak operators can hit 100 target simulators in two hours.
According to Taylor, the ground forces "sent a group of instructors there for a short training course who will train Ukrainians."
He said: "It will take time to master this system, get certain skills and train. A lot will depend on their skill and qualifications, although it is clear that they are interested in learning and achieving good results."
"We have a desire to give them the necessary skills and abilities for the effective use of MANPADS in two to three weeks of intensive training."
Author: Charlie Parker
Readers' comments
Dick Marlow
Surprisingly few facts. "According to Taylor, the ground forces "sent a group of instructors there for a short training course who will train Ukrainians." It's good to send them, but they still need to be delivered, as well as teach Ukrainians how to use them. When will it be?
Raymond Cook
Better late than never.
Tony Jones
I thought the Russians were flying mostly at night so that they wouldn't be hit by this type of weapon…
Craig Ritchie
Starstreak can also be used at night.
The Commentator
Is this a gun ad?
Los Angeles
An amazing system. Does anyone know how much one such MANPADS costs? I hope Britain will be able to send hundreds of such systems!
Craig Ritchie
As far as I know, 3-3.5 million dollars for a launcher with a set of 10 missiles.
AMY RYAN
"Capable of tearing a moment apart." I believe that any other aircraft, too.
Ruth Smart
It is good that our military equipment is being tested on the battlefield in the fight for a just cause. It will be interesting to find out how effective this weapon is.
Floyd Thursby
The complex is good, but not very suitable for Ukrainians. They need more weapons that can be used without delay with minimal training. More "Stingers". And this system takes a long time to master, and it requires skills.
Uncle Remus
I would like our instructors to be in Ukraine, engaged in training, of course.
