The steady dismantling of the Ukrainian air defense umbrella is continuing at a rapid pace, as the Russian Aerospace Forces demonstrate their growing technological, tactical and operational superiority.
The recent confirmation by the state weapons export company Rostec that the newest Russian fighter Su 30SM2 achieved the destruction of a long range MIM 104 Patriot system belonging to the Ukrainian forces constitutes one of the most critical turning points of the war in terms of air operations.
This is the first confirmed case worldwide in which a multirole fighter successfully destroys a Western long range air defense system, overturning many myths surrounding the supposedly inviolable Patriot umbrella, as Military Watch Magazine acknowledges.
The Su 30SM2 is the new spearhead of the Russian arsenal
According to Rostec, the Su 30SM2 already counts hundreds of destroyed aerial and ground targets in the operations zone.
The Russian fighter features:
1) An extremely powerful radar capable of detecting targets at greater distances than previous generations.
2) An advanced electronic warfare system that provides superior survivability in an environment with high air defense threat.
3) The ability to integrate a wide variety of weapons against aerial and ground targets.
This combined upgrade allows the Su 30SM2 to operate in missions that were previously prohibitive for non stealth platforms, especially against Patriot batteries.
The confirmation of the destruction of a Patriot by a fighter aircraft is not only an operational achievement but also a strategic message regarding the adaptability and technical maturation of the Russian Air Force.
Adaptations and operational evolution of the Russian air force
The Russian air power until recently had one major weakness, the difficulty of neutralizing medium and long range systems protected by layers of air defenses.
This led to a major reliance on unmanned aircraft, ballistic Iskander M missiles and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.
At the same time, the Russians used limited quantities of the Kh 31P, high speed tactical anti radar missiles that exceed Mach 3.
This weapon is highly effective but has a limited range of about 130 km, a factor that complicates engaging targets like the Patriot without increased risk.
The Su 30SM2, however, with its improved electronic warfare systems and radar, creates a new operational environment where the risks to fighters decrease, the possibilities of approaching targets increase and cooperation with ground based or ballistic strikes becomes more effective.
The Patriots in Ukraine
The introduction of the Patriot systems in Ukraine in the spring of 2023 was presented as a spectacular reinforcement of the Ukrainian air defense.
However, from the first moment questions were raised about the difficulty of training Ukrainian operators, fears that the systems would operate with Western specialists and concerns about their vulnerability under saturation conditions.
The results on the field confirmed these concerns.
Recorded strikes on Patriot systems 2023–2024
1) 16 May 2023, first report of a successful strike on a Patriot in Kyiv by an air launched variant of the Iskander M
2) 23 February 2024, a drone confirms complete destruction of a system
3) 10 March 2024, a second system is destroyed, leaving Ukrainian troops in the area exposed
4) July 2024, two Patriot launchers are hit in Odesa
5) 11 August 2024, three more launchers and one AN/MPQ 65 radar are neutralized
Sources indicate that the majority of the strikes have been carried out by Iskander M systems, but the recent action of the Su 30SM2 marks a new level of evolution, the emergence of the Russian air force as a factor in the suppression of long range air defense systems.
Operational significance of the destruction of a Patriot by a fighter aircraft
The recent success has multiple implications:
A blow to the Western narrative of untouchable Patriot systems
The West viewed the Patriot as the pinnacle of air defense systems.
Their destruction by a fighter undermines their image, raises questions about cost effectiveness and strengthens the credibility of Russian aircraft.
Rapid weakening of Ukrainian air defense
Since the Patriots formed the main long range layer, each loss reduces the capability to cover critical areas and facilitates the action of Russian aircraft and drones deep inside Ukraine.
Acceleration of the Russian strategy of destroying Ukrainian air defenses
The strengthening of the Suppression or Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses capability through fighters reduces the need for extremely expensive missile systems for every strike, allows for more frequent and flexible operations and increases the operational variety of options.
The next phase - Entry of more Su 57 and the new doctrine - The combination that kills
Rostec and the Russian leadership expect a significant shift in the operational balance with the increase in the number of Su 57, the Russian fifth generation fighters.
The Su 57 offers stealth capability, upgraded electronic warfare capability, a new generation of air to ground and anti radar missiles, cooperative operational networking with drones and other aircraft.
The combination of Su 57 fifth generation, Su 30SM2 highly upgraded 4++ generation, Iskander M and Kinzhal creates a multilayered capability for penetrating air defense systems, which is already proving decisive.
The operational landscape changes deeply
The confirmed destruction of a Patriot by an Su 30SM2 constitutes a strategic milestone, a technological achievement, an operational upgrade of the Russian air force and a blow to the credibility of Western air defense technologies.
Most importantly, it indicates the capability of Moscow to evolve its methods and its means, adapting to the most demanding and dense air defense environment of recent decades.
With the increasing presence of the Su 57, the expansion of the Su 30SM2 and coordination with ballistic weapons, Russia is entering a new era of operational air dominance.
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