US Marines train mobile groups with Stinger and Iron Dome (photo)
The question is more about readiness to use new technology, and training is ongoing.
The U.S. Marine Corps is preparing to deploy two new air defense systems in 2024 and early 2025 to protect Marine combat formations from cruise missiles and drones of various types. At the same time, the US Marines are practicing a format of actions that is somewhat similar to the mobile air defense groups in the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Moreover, the U.S. military itself says in a roundabout way that it takes into account “the growing threats in the Middle East and Europe” in its preparations.
The estimated time of deployment, i.e. by the beginning of 2025, depends on the technical component. As the USMC is currently acquiring air defense systems, for which production facilities are still being deployed. This follows from the relevant publication of the Defense News portal.
In particular, the U.S. Marine Corps plans to deploy the first battalion of medium-range air defense systems under the MRIC index in June 2025, which is the American localization of the Israeli Iron Dome. manufactured jointly by Raytheon and Rafael. This time lag, that is, until next summer, is explained by two factors.
The first is how long it will take to deploy the production of Tamir interceptor missiles for the Iron Dome in the United States. The second factor is that the U.S. military is just about to start mastering the Iron Dome on its own, and until now, the firing was conducted only with the participation of representatives of the Israeli Rafael.
Another point is that, apparently, under the influence of the combat experience during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the US Marines had to change the concept of their air defense system MADIS.
In 2021, MADIS consisted of two JLTV-based vehicles: the first had two Stinger launchers, and the second had a REB station. Now the MADIS configuration looks like this: the first vehicle has two Stinger launchers and a 30-mm automatic cannon, and the second station has enemy drone detection equipment.
It is noted that the US Marines were able to start testing the MADIS complex in an updated configuration in the fall of 2023. If all technical procedures are completed successfully, MADIS is expected to be put on combat duty in September 2024.
It is worth noting that at the moment, the US Marines plan to deploy both types of air defense systems – MRIC and MADIS – in the Pacific theater in preparation for confrontation with China and restructuring their combat orders under the Force Design 2030 concept.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that the Americans will test this spring whether the PAC-3 MSE missile for the Patriot can be integrated into the Aegis combat system.
