Ukrainian Armed Forces instructors who trained US military personnel in the Persian Gulf have expressed criticism regarding the US methods for combating “Shahed” drones. According to them, the allies use expensive missiles against cheap targets and do not sufficiently protect critical infrastructure.
Source: PRYAMYI
According to the publication, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent a group of 201 specialists at the request of the US Central Command to exchange experience in countering kamikaze drones.
The Ukrainian instructors were surprised by the allies’ approach to destroying drones, particularly the use of high-cost missiles to target inexpensive UAVs.
“Often they fired without thinking. For example, they used an SM-6 missile costing about $6 million to shoot down a ‘Shahed’ worth $70,000,” said a Ukrainian officer.
Ukrainian military personnel also pointed out the insufficient level of radar camouflage. According to them, the allies do not fully utilize mobility and concealment measures that the Ukrainian Armed Forces actively employ.
One Ukrainian expert cited an example of expensive radars being targeted by cheap drones. This involved an AN/FPS-132 early warning radar worth around $1 billion, as well as at least one air defense system radar worth about $300 million.
“For two months they stayed in exactly the same place, and then the ‘Shaheds’ came. Three ‘Shaheds,’ each worth about $70,000. And that’s it,” said a senior Ukrainian officer.
As the publication notes, Ukrainian military personnel have extensive experience in countering drones, particularly due to constantly relocating radars, which makes it more difficult for the enemy to target them.