Official: US adapts Ukrainian Buk-M1 SAMs to launch RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles

A month ago, the US media wrote that the USA had developed for the AFU a FrankenSAM surface-to-air missile system based on the Buk-M1 SAM system. This has now been officially confirmed by Ukraine.

Here's What We Know

The information was shared by the representative of the Air Force of Ukraine Yuriy Ignat in an interview with Radio NV. According to him, such modified air defence systems have already been successfully tested. Thanks to American engineers, the Ukrainian systems have learnt to fire RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles. According to Ignat, the modernised SAMs will help Ukraine protect critical infrastructure. Unfortunately, it is not known how many such systems the AFU received. By the way, according to The New York Times, the US has also created a version of the Buk SAM system that can use missiles from the MIM-104 Patriot SAM system.

Flashback

The Buk-M1 is an anti-aircraft missile system developed in 1994-1997. It has a medium range and is designed to protect troops and facilities when positioned on the ground and during offensive and defensive actions. In addition, it is capable of deflecting strikes from aerodynamic objects: aeroplanes, helicopters, UAVs and cruise missiles.

Source: Radio NV