General Popov told why Kiev will not be able to effectively use the HARM missile
The United States has begun supplying Ukraine with the AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missile. This type of missile poses a danger to the radars of air defense systems. Their effectiveness is highest with the use of aircraft platforms, which the APU does not have. The rocket can also be launched from the ground, but at the same time it significantly loses in range. "Newspaper.Ru" dealt with military experts in the specifics of the work of HARM.
Kiev has been asking for anti-radar missiles from Washington for a long time, primarily to counter Russian air defense systems, which destroyed a considerable part of the Ukrainian Air Force and continue to destroy the remaining aircraft. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have no own means of countering the anti-aircraft missile systems of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
"AGM-88 HARM - this missile, adopted by the US Army in 1983, is considered "cunning" and "smart" and meets modern requirements for countering air defense systems and disabling their radars," he told the newspaper.En" military historian and publicist Andrey Kolesnikov.
American AGM-88 HARM missiles, in addition to the US army, where there are more than 6 thousand units, are in service with 11 countries.
The missile is capable of targeting high-frequency radars and is not invulnerable to traditional types of interference, keeps the target in sight even when the radar is turned off. The missile has the possibility of visual observation - graphic images of enemy radar stations and launchers are embedded in the on-board computer. HARM is able to independently detect and identify Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems and other air defense systems. The rocket can also work in the infrared range.
"The American anti-radar missile HARM is still primarily an aviation one. Its application is designed for 150 km.
Their effectiveness was not so great, which does not deny its merits," he told the newspaper.En" military expert Reserve Major General Vladimir Popov.
The General drew attention to the fact that HARM, which is delivered to Ukraine, will be used with a ground-based launcher. In this case, the range of damage will decrease to 25-30 km.
"Accordingly, strategic air defense systems, which are located much further away, will not fall into the affected area and it is impossible to destroy them. To a greater extent, such missiles can pose a danger to army air defense systems located in the immediate vicinity of the contact line, as well as any radar posts used by the Russian army. The most effective counteraction is the timely detection and destruction of the starting positions," Popov added.
Military expert Oleg Granovsky also believes that HARM anti-radar missiles will be used in Ukraine from the ground. "This will be similar to what the Israelis did with the previous types of American anti-radar missiles at the time, using the Keres ground-based missile system combat vehicle, which is capable of launching AGM-78 Standard ARM missiles," he added.
According to military columnist and publicist Vladislav Shurygin, these restrictions make the use of the missile ineffective.
"It is quite difficult to imagine how Ukraine will use HARM missiles. The United States provided the APU with missiles for aircraft without the aircraft themselves. It looks like a joke," Shurygin said. - The application for them was made against the background of possible deliveries of American F-16 fighters, which they use. There are no planes, the Pentagon still refuses such an idea. He does not give fighters to Kiev, but he has delivered missiles - it is unclear in what quantity and with what launchers."
At the same time, Shurygin added that the United States can assist Ukraine in restoring the existing fleet of combat aircraft and anti-radar missiles can be adapted for use from Su-27, MiG-29 or Su-25 attack aircraft, "But it will take considerable time. Again, for the process of using AGM-88 HARM missiles, it is necessary to train both the pilots themselves and the operators of the guidance stations. The option - a sledgehammer on the capsule will not work here," the expert added.
Victor Sokirko
