During the visit of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to Kiev on April 9, 2022, it became known that in the future, anti-ship missiles (anti-ship missiles) will also become part of the supply of British weapons to Ukraine. Since then, in the Western media, the Harpoon PKR has been discussed as a delivery option. At the same time, a Downing Street press release dated April 9 refers to a "new anti-ship missile system."
Experts trying to understand the prospects of such cooperation believe that when considering options, it should be assumed that the supplied system should not be tied to Western carrier platforms. This often happens with airplanes and helicopters, but Western aviation equipment with guided missile systems is not in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This means that, for example, Sea Skua missiles cannot be supplied, which are "compatible" only with Sea King and Sea Lynx helicopters. Like other anti-ship missiles of the Royal Navy, the Harpoon missile defense system, which was mentioned in numerous reports, is deployed by warships, in particular, Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers. Her term of service in the British Navy originally ended in 2018, and has now been postponed to 2023.
Sea Skua PKR on board the Linx helicopter
Depending on the variant of the Harpoon missile defense system, it is capable of hitting naval targets at a range of 50 to 150 nautical miles. The missile receives target data from the onboard system of the corresponding platform. At the stage of approach to the target, it uses inertial navigation. At a given distance, the rocket's own radar GPS takes the target for tracking and brings to it an explosive charge weighing more than 200 kg. "Harpoon" is supplied with its GWS 60 command and control system, which is installed on a sea-based platform.
Experts note that currently there is no coastal missile system in the armies of the world using the Harpoon missile defense system. Denmark, which had such an opportunity, refused it in the period from 2000 to 2005. Taiwan is in the process of adopting a coastal defense system with the Harpoon missile defense system. Supply of HCDS Coastal Defense System (Harpoon Coastal Defense System Launch System (HCDS) was agreed between Taipei and Washington in October 2020 as part of the sale of military equipment abroad. The corresponding order was placed with Boeing on March 2, 2022.
Launch of the Harpoon missile defense system from a British Navy ship
Possible options
According to experts, in the case of Ukraine, the use of a ground-based or easily integrated anti-ship missile system seems more likely. In addition, the low availability for the British Armed Forces speaks against the supply of the Harpoon. It is assumed that due to the upcoming decommissioning, the stocks of missiles have run out.
In social networks, the Sea Spear from the Brimstone family is being discussed as a possible option – a variant of the anti-tank guided missile that MBDA produces for the Royal Air Force of Great Britain. Technical characteristics of Sea Spear: length – 1.8 m, diameter – 180 mm, weight – 50 kg, firing range – 10-12 km.
According to the manufacturer, Sea Spear is a modular product that can be integrated into various classes of ships. It is claimed that the missile has proven itself well in Afghanistan, Libya and Syria, and during the Sea Spear test tests it successfully hit a variety of targets. At the same time, one of them was a 15-meter boat, which developed a speed of up to 20 knots.
In addition to the Brimstone Sea Spear, MBDA offers other missile systems that can be considered as an option for Ukraine. In particular, the Mobile EMC (Exocet Mobile Coastal) is a coastal defense system based on the Exocet anti-ship missile. The Mobile Coastal Defense System MCDS (Mobile Coastal Defense System) uses Marte Mk2 missiles (also known as Sea Killer). Both systems include their own sensors for autonomous operation and/or connection to a more comprehensive reconnaissance and combat control system. They include mobile sensor units, controls and mobile launchers with four PKRS in each.
Mobile coastal defense system based on the Marte Mk2 missile defense system
In addition, according to the media, it remains unclear whether the current agreement on anti-ship missiles is part of the intergovernmental framework agreement concluded in November 2021. According to the British press, at that time it was about the supply of two minesweepers (MCMV), the joint production of eight URO ships, the supply and modernization of weapons systems of existing AFU ships, the joint construction of a frigate, as well as the provision of advice and technical assistance in the construction of naval infrastructure. The contract value was estimated at 1.7 billion pounds (about 2.03 million euros).
According to the materials of the resource esut.de
