Forbes columnist Iddon: Low mobility is a weakness of Patriot SAMs
Low mobility is the main disadvantage of Patriot surface-to-air missile systems (SAMs), which the US has promised to transfer to Ukraine. This was stated by Forbes columnist Paul Iddon.
While the SAMs have an impressive potential, they are extremely difficult to move around the battlefield and thus the system could become an easy target for Russian artillerymen.
“While a single battery of three fighters is enough to operate, up to 90 are required to move it and set up all the components,” Iddon explained.
He also added that the Patriot is unlikely to help Ukrainian forces against Russian Armed Forces drones, as large numbers of drones can eliminate air defense assets without much trouble.
On 23 December, retired US intelligence officer Scott Ritter suggested that the version of the Patriot SAM system that the White House would deliver to Kiev would be outdated and unable to shoot down modern missiles.
Also on that day, former US General Mark Hertling doubted that Ukraine would soon use Patriot missile defense systems. He said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would need months of training to use the systems.