Does Ukraine need Gray Eagle drones/Channel 24 Collage
Ukraine has asked the US for Gray Eagle drones. However, the Americans are in no hurry to provide them.
ShareFbTwiTelegramViberShareFbTwiTwiTelegramViber
However, whether Ukraine really needs such drones is a moot point. Aeroexpert Valery Romanenko told Channel 24 about this.
The United States announced the sale of drones to Ukraine, but suspended the agreement
In early June, the White House approved the sale to Ukraine of four MQ-1C Gray Eagle drones that can be equipped with Hellfire missiles. However, the agreement was put on hold due to fears that the highly valuable technology could be taken over by the Russians. We are talking about a threat to US security if radar and surveillance equipment on drones hit them.
Does Ukraine Need a Gray Eagle
According to Aeroexpert, Gray Eagle drones are not of critical importance for Ukraine. They are unlikely to have a dramatic effect on the course of the war.
Why do we need them? They are expensive, and we will not be able to use them for their intended purpose – for visual reconnaissance and as shock, – he said.
They have 4 Helfire missiles with a range of 8 kilometers. They will be launched from an average height, so the figure can be doubled – 16 km. The average air defense system at this altitude has a range of up to 40 km, and the S-300, S-400 systems – 70 km.
“I don’t think they can fall into the hands of the Russians. If we don’t want to lose them, we must use them at a distance of up to 50 kilometers from the collision line. And at this distance, visual reconnaissance is ineffective,” Romanenko explained.
< p> In addition, we will not be able to use them from military airfields, only from civilian ones. We need special runways.
“The probability that the drone will fall on Russian or Russian-controlled territory is minimal. It cannot lose control. It can only be critically hit to fall 1-2 kilometers in the direction of flight. And it cannot fly over,” he explained Aeroexpert.
What weapons will the US give to Ukraine: latest news
- US President Joe Biden has signed a new $270 million military aid package for Ukraine. It provides for the supply of 4 HIMARS systems and their ammunition. In addition, they talk about 36,000 105 mm caliber ammunition, command and staff vehicles, anti-tank weapons, 580 Phoenix Ghost drones, spare parts and other accessories.
- It was assumed that Ukraine would also receive long-range missiles before the HIMARS installations. They are capable of hitting a target at a distance of up to 300 km. However, National Security Adviser to the US President Jake Sullivan said that long-range missiles would not be provided.
- Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak stressed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine require at least 50 HIMARS installations. M777 howitzers and aviation are also critical.
