Ukraine demonstrated for the first time the FrankenSAM system - it combines the Buk-M1 system and US RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles

The Ukrainian Air Force has for the first time published official photos of the FrankenSAM air defence system. It is a Soviet Buk-M1 surface-to-air missile system capable of using US RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles.

We learnt about FrankenSAM last year. The creation of such a system is intended to partially solve the problem of the Ukrainian Air Force's shortage of Soviet missiles to counter air threats. The air defence system had its baptism of fire in mid-January 2024. The first target was a Shahed-136 kamikaze drone.

The published images show the 9A310 self-propelled launcher. It is covered with camouflage netting, but it appears that the launcher has not been modified. The 9C35 radar station remains unchanged.

The FrankenSAM project was developed by Ukrainian and American specialists in response to a shortage of Soviet 9M38 anti-aircraft missiles. Tests of the upgraded air defence system took place in the US last autumn.

Sea Sparrow can hit targets at a distance of up to 15 kilometres in altitude and up to 20 kilometres in range. In comparison, the 9M38 can shoot down air threats at a maximum range of 20 kilometres and 30 kilometres respectively.