Ukraine's Self-Made Air Defense Systems: A Triumph Amidst Manufacturing Challenges
Ukraine is facing a shortage of missiles for its S-300 surface-to-air missile batteries and lacks the industrial capacity to produce them. The SD-300, a Ukrainian air-defense system that could replace the S-300, is a potential solution, but mass production is currently a challenge. The SD-300 combines a command vehicle, a four-round truck launcher, and a 300mm missile. While the range is not an issue, Ukraine needs around 18-20 additional batteries to fully replace the S-300s, which may exceed the capabilities of its missile firms. The question remains whether the SD-300 is worth pursuing when additional Western-made SAMs could meet Ukraine's air-defense needs.