Ukraine’s Armed Forces may receive the most advanced version of the $4 million PAC-3 MSE anti-missile system, which intercepts ballistic missiles at altitudes up to 60 km
The Ukrainian Air Force may be equipped with the latest Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missile interceptors for MIM-104 Patriot air defense missile systems. This assumption is related to the features of the new military aid package, which will be officially announced in the near future.
What is known
Today it was reported that the US is preparing a long-term aid package for Ukraine worth $2 billion. It will include launchers for Hawk anti-aircraft missile systems along with ammunition, as well as two types of missile interceptors for the MIM-104 Patriot air defense system.
Judging by the content, the United States intends to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities to more effectively combat Russian ballistic missiles. Thus, the package includes PAC-3 anti-missiles and Guidance Enhanced Missile (GEM-T).
Since it is the USAI program, this means that the ammunition will not be transferred from the Pentagon’s stockpile. They must first be manufactured. Therefore, it is highly likely that Ukraine will receive the PAC-3 MSE. This is the most advanced version of the interceptor.
It contains a “lethality enhancer” with dozens of titanium fragments. MSE can also intercept targets at altitudes up to 60 km. The cost of one PAC-3 MSE missile is approximately $4 million.
As for the GEM-T, it is an interceptor designed to destroy tactical ballistic missiles and is a modernization of the PAC-2. There is also a GEM-C version to eliminate cruise missiles. Both modifications have a new nose piece, and the GEM-T additionally received a new detonator.
