Ukraine Deploys Avenger Surface-to-Air Missile Systems On Border With Belarus

Details.

Serhiy Naev, commander of the United Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who is in charge of the operational zone on Ukraine's northern borders with Belarus and Russia, has announced the strengthening of air defence in this direction with Avenger surface-to-air missile systems.

"The system is designed to shoot down cruise missiles and strike drones. The system is good and effective," Naev said.

Naev says the US handed over these missile systems to Ukraine, while the crews were trained in Germany.

How Avenger missile defence systems work

The name of the surface-to-air missile system (SAM) means Avenger. It was developed by the American Boeing Aerospace Company together with General Electric.

The missiles can intercept the target on both oncoming and overtaking course at altitudes of 0.5-3.8 kilometres and distances of 0.5-5.5 kilometres.

It carries two containers holding four Stinger missiles each, as well as a machine gun and radar station. The Avenger is capable of detecting targets in all weather and visibility conditions due to its built-in infrared thermal imaging camera.

If required, the operator of the vehicle can take the Stinger missile out of the SAM and fire it from the shoulder.

Two soldiers will provide firepower. The vehicle can reach speeds of over 100 kilometres per hour and has a range of over 500 kilometres on a single fill-up.

The Avenger SAM system has been in production since 1984 and is in service with the armies of the United States, China, Chile, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Lithuania. These systems are known to defend the White House in the US and other critical infrastructure facilities.