What is common between SAMP-T air defense system, Skynex air defense system, Challenger 2 tank, Leopard 2A4 tank, M1 Abrams tank, Patriot air defense system, NASAMS air defense system, CAESAR howitzer, M109A6 Paladin howitzer, Archer self-propelled howitzer, M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle and HIMARS MLRS. All of these are pricey NATO weapons and all of these have been obliterated by Russia.
The early months of 2024 have extended the previous year’s trend of significant NATO military hardware losses. This period saw the destruction of hundreds of advanced Western armor, artillery, and air defense systems, notably during a counteroffensive. Particularly, in late January, Ukrainian forces faced setbacks with the loss of several state-of-the-art NATO air defense systems, including the SAMP-T and “Skynex,” valued at around €182 million. Additionally, the destruction of notable Western-manufactured armored vehicles, such as the British “Challenger 2,” German “Leopard 2A4” tanks, and the American M1 “Abrams,” further underscore these losses.
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Tactical losses of NATO equipment aside, the Kiev regime’s strategic setbacks, especially with the loss of key air defenses like “Patriot” and NASAMS, reveal a significant erosion of capabilities. On February 22, a “Patriot” system in Chernobaevka, Kherson oblast, was hit by two Russian FAB-500 M-62 bombs with MPK modules. The degradation continued on February 26 when a NASAMS near Malyshevka in Zaporozhye oblast, 50 km from the frontline, was reportedly destroyed. Initially blamed on the “Iskander ” missile system, later analysis pointed to the “Tornado-S” MLRS, a modernized “Smerch” variant, as the likely culprit. This system’s rockets, including the GLONASS-guided 9M542 and the longer-range 9M544 variant, underline the deepening of Kiev’s air defense challenges.
The obliteration of NATO-supplied surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems may be attributed to either the Russian “Iskander” missile system or the advanced “Tornado-S” multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). Concurrently, the Russian armed forces continue to decimate Western artillery assets, leveraging the efficacy of ZALA “Lancet” kamikaze drones, among other means. High-value targets such as the French CAESAR, the American M109A6 “Paladin,” and the Swedish “Archer” self-propelled howitzers (SPH) have been neutralized.
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In stark contrast, Russia boasts a formidable production capacity that surpasses the collective output of NATO countries, especially in the domain of artillery. The induction of novel weaponry by Russia occurs at a remarkable pace, including the deployment of new hypersonic missiles, cutting-edge fighter jets, and kamikaze drones launched from systems like the “Tornado-S.” Additionally, the utilization of the 3M22 “Zircon,” a scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missile launched from the “Bastion-P” coastal defense system, signifies a leap in Russian strategic capabilities. With a range of 1500 km and speeds reaching Mach 9, the “Zircon” missile surpasses the capabilities of the P-800 “Oniks” missiles previously employed by the same platform.
The incorporation of the Su-57, a pinnacle of aviation technology, into Russia’s arsenal, marked by its utilization of the Kh-69 stealthy cruise missile, exemplifies a significant enhancement in standoff capabilities. This missile, characterized by a substantial 310 kg warhead, a range of 300 km, and a reduced radar cross-section, augments Russia’s precision strike capacity. Russian forces have escalated the attrition of Western-manufactured armored assets, notably inflicting considerable losses on the M1 “Abrams” tanks. Furthermore, the effectiveness of Russian armored units in combat is illustrated by the deployment of the T-72B3 tank. This platform, utilizing its cannon-fired 9M119 “Refleks” anti-tank guided missile, has demonstrated superior capabilities against the vaunted American M1 “Abrams,” a feature absent in the latter. Additionally, this Russian tank has effectively engaged multiple M2 “Bradley” infantry fighting vehicles, underscoring a broader pattern of success against NATO military hardware. This extends to engagements with other highly touted NATO systems, including the HIMARS and “Patriot” surface-to-air missile systems.
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On March 4, battlefield footage documented the annihilation of at least two HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), attributed to the “Iskander-M” hypersonic missile.
Subsequently, by March 12, an additional minimum of two HIMARS units were reported destroyed, in this instance by the “Tornado-S” MLRS. The “Patriot” air defense systems have experienced significant losses, with claims of up to 30 units being neutralized in recent operations. Intriguingly, the “Iskander” missiles have been utilized to simultaneously neutralize multiple launchers, despite assertions from NATO and the Ukrainian Regime regarding the “Patriot” system’s supposed capability to intercept the faster “Kinzhal” hypersonic missiles.
