Breaking News
Germany Arms Ukraine's FrankenSAM System with Sea Sparrow and Sidewinder Missiles.
The German government recently updated its military aid to Ukraine, announcing a new batch of equipment, including RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles and AIM-9L/I-1 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for Ukraine's FrankenSAM system. This announcement, published on October 17, 2024, on the official government website, reflects Germany's continued commitment to supporting Ukraine's war effort against the Russian invasion.
An official photo reveals a Soviet-era Buk-M1 (SA-11 Gadfly) air defense system upgraded to launch RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles under the FrankenSAM program (Picture source: Ukrainian MoD)
According to the published information, Ukraine received a wide range of military equipment, including the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow and AIM-9L/I-1 Sidewinder missiles. Although Ukraine had previously received Sea Sparrow missiles, they came from Belgium, which had purchased them from Germany to use on its Bremen-class frigates. These missiles have been integrated into Ukraine's modified Buk-M1 air defense systems under the FrankenSAM program, designed to address the shortage of original missiles.
The Buk-M1, known under its NATO designation SA-11 Gadfly, is a mobile medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed by the Russian defense industry. It is designed to counter a wide range of aerial threats, including tactical and strategic aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters, and anti-radar missiles, as well as to engage land and maritime radio-contrast targets.
The Buk-M1 can fire 9M38 and 9M38M1 missiles, capable of hitting targets at a maximum range of 32 to 35 kilometers and altitudes between 20,000 and 22,000 meters. Each Buk-M1 vehicle is equipped with a monopulse radar, "Fire Dome," and a launcher capable of firing up to four missiles simultaneously. It operates in coordination with the "Snow Drift" target acquisition radar, allowing efficient detection and engagement of targets even in environments with heavy electronic countermeasures (ECM). The Buk-M1 is mounted on a GM-569 tracked chassis, providing good off-road mobility with a maximum speed of 65 km/h on roads and a range of 500 km.
The FrankenSAM program, developed in collaboration between American and Ukrainian engineers, was launched in November 2023 in the U.S., where the first successful tests were conducted. This modernization allows the Sea Sparrow missiles to intercept aerial targets at a range of 20,000 meters and an altitude of 15,000 meters, while the older 9M38 missiles of the Buk had a range of 32,000 meters and an altitude of 20,000 meters.
The AIM-9L/I-1 Sidewinder missiles, a modernized version of the original German-made AIM-9L, share characteristics similar to the AIM-9M missiles. These missiles could be integrated into the smaller FrankenSAM, an anti-aircraft system using Sidewinder missiles and components provided by the U.S. and Ukraine's allies. Alternatively, they could be used on Ukraine's F-16 aircraft to intercept cruise missiles or drones.
The German government confirmed the delivery of 12 IRIS-T SLM air defense missile systems to Ukraine, according to a Reuters report on September 3, 2024 (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The AIM-9X Sidewinder is a short-range air-to-air missile developed by Raytheon, known for its agility and advanced targeting capabilities. It is 3.02 meters long, with a launch weight of 84.37 kg, and is powered by a solid-propellant motor that allows it to reach supersonic speeds of Mach 2.5 (about 3,060 km/h). Equipped with an infrared homing guidance system, the AIM-9X can track the heat signatures of enemy aircraft and engage targets even outside the direct line of sight, thanks to its high off-boresight sensor. Its 9.4 kg annular blast fragmentation warhead, equipped with an active optical detector, maximizes damage to fast-moving and highly maneuverable aerial targets. The Block II variant offers significant improvements, including lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) capability and a datalink, allowing the missile to engage targets beyond visual range and even behind the launching aircraft.
Among the newly delivered items were also 8 Leopard 1A5 tanks, 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles with ammunition and spare parts, munitions for Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 tanks, as well as IRIS-T SLM and SLS air defense systems. Additionally, IRIS-T and Sea Sparrow missiles were part of the delivery, along with 6 Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled artillery systems with spare parts, 24,000 155mm shells, 30 Vector reconnaissance drones, and various engineering vehicles and equipment, such as BEAVER mobile bridges and WiSENT 1 mine-clearing vehicles.
The batch also included a range of individual equipment, such as 100 portable H-PEMBS mine-clearing systems, 90 mine detectors, and a mine plough. Additional equipment included communication systems, laser rangefinders, 3,000 RGW 90 grenade launchers, and 25,000 40mm grenades. Furthermore, 75,000 tourniquets and 150,000 chest seals were provided to support the medical needs of Ukrainian forces on the front lines.
In terms of individual armament, the delivery included 460 MK 556 assault rifles, 110 HLR 338 sniper rifles with 240,000 rounds of ammunition, 30 Haenel CR 308 rifles, and 3,000 SFP9 pistols. This delivery also marked the last batch of Marder vehicles promised by Germany to Ukraine.
Further equipment is expected in upcoming deliveries, including two TRML-4D radars, 4,000 loitering munitions, and 361 Songbird reconnaissance drones, along with 42,000 rounds of 40mm ammunition.
However, adjustments have been noted in the promised equipment list. The German government has removed three Gepard (Cheetah SPAAG) anti-aircraft systems from the pledged list, reducing the total to nine units. If this change is not an error, it could indicate that Germany is only financing 12 Gepard systems purchased from Jordan, rather than 15 as announced in the summer of 2023, or that three originally pledged systems cannot be refurbished.