Problems in the load: technical features of the supply of Brimstone missiles to the Ukrainian armed forces
A Brimstone 2 rocket under the wing of a Tornado aircraft. UK Department of Defense Photo
A few days ago, the foreign press reported on the upcoming deliveries of British Brimstone guided missiles to the Ukrainian armed forces. All the details of such military-technical cooperation have not yet been disclosed, but some aspects are already known. In addition, there are reasons to believe that the introduction and integration of new weapons will be associated with serious difficulties - and in some cases it will not be possible at all.
Sources and ministry
The British newspaper The Times reported on the upcoming deliveries of missile weapons on October 21. Citing her sources, she said that the UK and Ukraine are negotiating on the future supply of Brimstone guided missiles developed by MBDA UK. The possibility of selling sea- and air-based missile systems is being considered.
The Times reports that the naval version of the complex will be installed on Ukrainian patrol boats. What kind of boats will receive such a weapon is not specified. We can talk about both existing combat units in the ranks, and new hulls transferred from the United States or planned for construction in the UK. Any details on the topic aviation rockets are not shown at all.
On the same day, the Russian RIA News could receive an official comment from the British Department of Defense. The department indicated that the latest news is about a memorandum signed back in June this year. The details to be published were suggested to be found in the corresponding press release.
Block of missiles on an attack UAV. Photo MBDA
The Ministry of Defense also noted that so far there is only one British-Ukrainian agreement on the joint development of the Ukrainian Navy, and new ones are not even discussed. In addition, the department expressed bewilderment at the current excitement around the long-known document.
However, the recent publication in The Times is of some interest. It has been repeatedly mentioned in the past that the new boats being built by Great Britain for Ukraine will receive a certain British-made missile system. Thanks to The Times, it is now clear that it was Brimstone products.
Rocket family
To date, MBDA UK has created and brought to the series several modifications of the Brimstone rocket. Another one is undergoing trials, but is expected in the troops within a few years. In all cases, we are talking about a guided missile with a length of approx. 1,8 m with a launch weight of 50 kg, capable of striking stationary and moving targets, incl. protected by a tandem cumulative warhead. The missile carriers can be airplanes and helicopters, sea and land platforms.
The basic version of the rocket was equipped with an active radar homing head. The maximum launch range reached 20 km and was provided when used by an aircraft. In the second half of the XNUMXs, the Dual-Mode Brimstone modification was created, featuring an improved seeker with radar and semi-active laser units. They can be used separately or together.
Eurofighter Typhoon is one of the main carriers of Brimstone. Photo MBDA
In the mid-tenths, the improved Brimstone 2 rocket entered service with the British Army. All the units of the product, from the hull to the engine, were revised. An improved seeker was developed and a different engine was used, which increased the launch range to 60 km. During the tests, "Brimstone-2" showed the possibility of hitting a target moving at a speed of 110 km / h.
For use fleet a version of the Brimstone 2 Sea Spear rocket has been developed. It carries an updated guidance system with two previous channels and an inertial unit. It is envisaged to start from the transport and launch container on the carrier's deck. The launch range, according to various sources, does not exceed 12 km. It is curious that the shipborne missile system, unlike the aviation one, has not yet found its customer.
In the interests of the Navy
The British company Babcock International received an order for the development and construction of missile boats for the Ukrainian Navy. Not so long ago, she completed the design, and in September at one of the exhibitions she showed a model of the future boat. The project is based on the Protector 50 "small patrol ship" and differs from it in some features related to the wishes of the customer.
The updated "Protector-50" carries a set of missile and artillery weapons. For Brimstone / Sea Spear missiles, there is a separate, limited size launcher at the stern. This complex will be controlled from the control panel at the central post. It also provides for the placement of other launchers for larger missiles.
Launching a Brimstone rocket with an AH-64D helicopter. Boeing Photos
Thus, the new missile boat, already at the development stage, receives modern weapons and related devices. This suggests that Babcock's boats will have no technical problems along the Brimstone line. At the same time, this does not exclude technical and operational difficulties associated with the characteristics of the operator.
Trouble in the air
According to the latest reports, Ukraine will also receive Briimstone aircraft missiles. At the same time, the British military department does not directly confirm such news. It is not known whether such a rearmament of the Ukrainian Air Force is actually planned. However, it is clear that such plans are extremely difficult to implement and may be abandoned altogether.
Brimstone missiles are carried by Panavia Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, as well as AH-64 attack helicopters. In the past, the possibility of integrating such missiles into the armament complex of aircraft and helicopters of European, American and even Russian production was discussed. The potential carrier of "Brimstones" should have a sighting and navigation complex of NATO standards with instruments that ensure the development of the flight task and the transfer of data to the rocket electronics.
The Ukrainian Air Force still operates old Soviet-built aircraft and helicopters with a corresponding set of instruments. To transfer them to British missiles requires complex and expensive development work on a deep modernization of the PrNK. The implementation of such ROC is associated with difficulties of an economic, organizational and other nature. In addition, the very process of modernizing combat equipment in any reasonable amount will also be difficult and expensive.
Design look of a missile boat for Ukraine. Babcock Int.
Instead of upgrading your old aircraft, you can buy modern foreign aircraft, initially capable of carrying Brimstone missiles. But even this approach has obvious disadvantages in the form of excessive cost and problems with the joint operation of equipment of different standards.
Thus, Brimstone missiles are unlikely to be a bargain for the Ukrainian Air Force. The anticipated complexities during preparation and implementation will completely outweigh any potential benefits. Moreover, the very possibility of Ukraine to implement such a program and bring a significant number of carriers with new missiles to full operation is questionable.
Problem after problem
Ukraine wants to get British equipment and weapons - and even signed the first contracts of this kind. However, upon closer examination, it turns out that such plans have ambiguous or even dubious prospects. Their implementation at all stages may encounter certain problems, and the real consequences and benefits will be far from the desired ones.
So, the latest news about the sale of Brimstone aircraft missiles in the current situation does not make any sense. The introduction of such weapons in the Ukrainian Air Force is hardly possible. The situation around Babcock's missile boats is simpler and more optimistic - this contract is likely to be fulfilled.
However, built and delivered boats will face the problem of insufficient tactical and technical characteristics of weapons. The key parameters of the Brimstone, such as range or combat load, are sufficient for combat aircraft that engage ground targets. The characteristics of such a rocket are insufficient for full-fledged operation at sea and for solving basic problems.
However, in the current situation, any scenarios are quite likely, incl. and disadvantageous for the Ukrainian armed forces. The fact is that the latest agreements with Great Britain and other documents of this kind were signed not only with the aim of developing the army. With their help, the Ukrainian leadership demonstrates loyalty to foreign partners, and also helps them earn money - and does not forget about their financial and other interests. In such a situation, the needs and capabilities of the army fade into the background and lose the status of a decisive factor.
Information