US improves Ukraine's air defense capabilities with new military aid package.

On July 7, 2023, the United States announced a new aid package for Ukraine. This package includes artillery systems and ammunition. It also provides additional air defense munitions, armored vehicles, anti-armor weapons, and other equipment. We will concentrate here on the anti-air part of the package but you can find two other parts respectively HERE for armored vehicles and HERE for mortars and clusters bomb, both published on 10 July 2023 on Army Recognition.
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AIM-7 Sparrow (Picture source US Air Force)

As part of the security assistance provided to Ukraine, additional equipment will be provided to strengthen the country's defense capabilities. This assistance includes additional ammunition for the Patriot air defense systems. The package also includes AIM-7 missiles, which are known for their effectiveness and reliability, enhancing Ukraine's ability to counter airborne threats. Stinger systems, portable and versatile anti-aircraft weapons, will also be provided to Ukraine as part of the effort to strengthen air defense. We will concentrate here on the anti-air part of the package but you can find two other parts respectively HERE for armored vehicles and HERE for mortars, both published on 10 July 2023 on Army Recognition.

AIM-7 missiles will also be provided, renowned for their effectiveness and reliability, enabling Ukraine to better confront airborne threats. In the effort to reinforce the air defense, Stinger systems will be supplied to Ukraine, which are portable and versatile anti-aircraft weapons. This package includes additional ammunition for the Patriot air defense systems, United States has only supplied 1 Patriot battery system to date, but other countries such as the Netherlands and Germany are also supplying them.

The AIM-7 Sparrow is a medium-range, semi-active radar-homing air-to-air missile. Originating from the United States, it has been in service since 1958 and continues to be utilized today. This missile is widely deployed in numerous countries worldwide.

The AIM-7 Sparrow is manufactured by Raytheon, an American company specializing in defense and military technologies. The unit cost of this missile is approximately $125,000. Since its initial version, the AIM-7D was produced in 1959, several variants have been developed, such as the AIM-7F in 1976 and the AIM-7M in 1982. Over 70,000 AIM-7 missiles have been built in total.

The AIM-7 Sparrow possesses impressive characteristics. With a weight of approximately 230 kilograms and a length of 3.7 meters, this missile is equipped with a high explosive blast-fragmentation warhead. Depending on the variant, its operational range ranges from 26 kilometers for the AIM-7C to 98 kilometers for the AIM-7F/M/P. In terms of maximum speed, the AIM-7A/B can reach Mach 2.5, while the later versions, such as the AIM-7C/E/F, can achieve Mach 4. The AIM-7 Sparrow utilizes a semi-active radar guidance system.

The security assistance provided by the United States also includes military training and advisory support, as well as assistance with defense and security reforms in Ukraine. The overall aim of this equipment is to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities and enable the country to effectively counter Russia's ongoing aggression. These measures demonstrate the commitment of the United States and its allies to the security and sovereignty of Ukraine. American aid is particularly valuable in the context of air defense, which plays a crucial role in the conflict in Ukraine.