The Russia-Ukraine conflict has been going on for almost two years, and Ukraine has relied on military assistance from Western countries to resist Russian airstrikes. However, the air defense systems supplied by Western countries have repeatedly failed to effectively intercept advanced Russian missiles. Recently, the United States proposed a "mix-and-match" air defense system to Ukraine, claiming that it could improve Ukraine's air defense capabilities, but Russian experts dismissed it, believing that it was a means of deception and enrichment by the United States, and it was difficult to play a role in actual combat.
According to the Washington Post, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited Ukraine on December 20 and held talks with Ukrainian ** Zelensky and Defense Minister Taranov to discuss U.S. military assistance to Ukraine. Austin said that the United States will provide Ukraine with a "mix and match" air defense system, which will consist of the American "Patriot" air defense missile system, Spain's "Hawk" air defense system and Ukraine's self-developed "Thunder"-2 ballistic missile system. Austin said the "mash-and-match" air defense system would allow Ukraine to deal with Russia's various air threats, including hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. Austin also said that the United States will provide relevant training, maintenance and upgrade services to Ukraine to ensure the effective operation of the system.
However, the Russian side does not buy this proposal of the United States, believing that it is a marketing trick of the United States, which will not only fail to improve Ukraine's air defense capability, but also bring a huge economic burden to Ukraine. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Konashenkov said in an interview with RIA Novosti that the "mix-and-match" air defense system provided by the United States to Ukraine is a "nondescript" combination, which has neither a unified command and control system, nor a compatible data link and communication system, let alone a battle-tested tactical coordination capability. Konashenkov said that this "mash-up" air defense system will not be able to form an effective air defense network in the face of Russia's complex air strikes, but can only become a target for Russian missiles. Konashenkov also ridiculed that the United States is actually selling this "mash-and-match" air defense system to Ukraine in order to take the opportunity to clean up its own stockpiles and at the same time squeeze high maintenance costs from Ukraine, rather than sincerely helping Ukraine improve its air defense capabilities.
Russian military expert Makarov also expressed doubts about this US proposal, he said in an interview with the "Observer" that there are many problems with the US "mix-and-match" air defense system program, first of all, technical problems, compatibility and interoperability between air defense systems produced by different countries and manufacturers are difficult to guarantee, and there may be obstacles in data transmission, information sharing, firepower distribution, etc., resulting in a reduction in air defense efficiency. Secondly, there is the economic issue, both the American "Patriot" air defense system and the Spanish "Hawk" air defense system are very expensive**, and Ukraine needs to pay huge expenses to purchase and maintain these systems, and it also has to bear the risk of political pressure and sanctions from the United States.
Finally, there is the issue of tactics, the US "mix and match" air defense system plan does not take into account Ukraine's actual air defense needs and combat environment, but forcibly imposes US air defense concepts and technologies on Ukraine, which may lead to a decline in Ukraine's air defense capability. Makarov said that the US "mix-and-match" air defense system plan is an "unrealistic" idea, and Ukraine should carefully consider it, not believe the US promises, but develop its own air defense system according to its own national conditions and military needs.
Whether the "mix-and-match" air defense system program provided by the United States to Ukraine can improve Ukraine's air defense capability remains to be tested by time and actual combat. But judging from the current situation, it seems that this proposal of the United States has not been warmly welcomed by Ukraine, nor has it made Russia feel afraid, but has caused ridicule and dissatisfaction in Russia. Whether this move by the United States will exacerbate the tension of the Russia-Ukraine conflict is also worthy of our attention and consideration. Is the US "mash-and-match" air defense system program a sincere aid or a hidden trap?Stay tuned for the follow-up report on today's headlines!