Now it’s official: The United States has adapted Ukrainian Buk-M1 SAMs to launch RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles
A month ago, the US media reported that the US had developed the FrankenSAM anti-aircraft missile system based on the Buk-M1 surface-to-air missile system for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This has now been officially confirmed by Ukraine.
The information was shared by a representative of the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuriy Ihnat, in an interview with Radio NV. According to him, such modified air defense systems have already been successfully tested. Thanks to American engineers, Ukrainian systems have learned to fire RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles. According to Ihnat, the modernized SAMs will help Ukraine protect critical infrastructure. Unfortunately, it is not known how many such systems the Armed Forces received.
As a reminder, the United States has also created a version of the Buk missile system that can use missiles from the MIM-104 Patriot.
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 they are stationed in place and during offensive and defensive operations. In addition, it is capable of repelling attacks from aerodynamic objects: airplanes, helicopters, UAVs and cruise missiles.
