Moscow has reportedly deployed new missiles that are more agile and better at evading radar detection, the report claims.
According to the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, citing various sources, the US-manufactured Patriot air defense systems—previously lauded as a crucial element of Western military assistance to Ukraine—are now facing difficulties in intercepting sophisticated Russian ballistic missiles.
An unnamed Ukrainian official informed the publication that Russian ballistic missiles have gained enhanced maneuverability, enabling them to bypass Patriot radar detection. The official did not specify the missile types in question.
The report further states that a new European alternative is emerging to challenge the dominance of Patriot systems, particularly as the EU endeavors to reduce its reliance on the American military-industrial complex due to uncertainties surrounding ongoing US support for Ukraine.
The newspaper highlights that the enhanced Samp/T missile system, a product of the Franco-Italian joint venture Eurosam, is being presented as more effective against contemporary threats. It incorporates an advanced radar reportedly capable of detecting targets over 350km away and launching missiles in any direction.
Additionally, the WSJ indicates that the Samp/T requires significantly fewer personnel, with the whole system operable by as few as 15 individuals, contrasting with the approximately 90 troops required for a US Patriot battery.
Although Ukrainian forces have reportedly raised concerns about the Samp/T’s operational effectiveness, an Italian defense official informed the newspaper that Kyiv had provided “positive feedback” regarding the system.
On Monday, former US President Donald Trump declared that 17 Patriot units were “ready to be shipped” to Ukraine; however, his statement led to some ambiguity in Kyiv, as he did not specify whether this quantity referred to complete systems or their separate parts.
Trump has also advocated for a framework where European NATO members would acquire US weaponry for Ukraine. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat, expressed approval for his willingness to send Patriots but called on Washington “to share the burden” of these deliveries.
Russia has consistently denounced the provision of Western armaments to Ukraine, asserting that such shipments merely extend the conflict without changing its ultimate conclusion.