Ukraine deploys Patriots, NASAMS, and IRIS-T against Russian missiles: 90%+ interception rate, critical infrastructure shielding.
Since the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine has been subjected to dozens of air strikes every day on average. Weapons used include kamikaze drones, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles. To counter this, Ukraine has received a wide range of air defense systems from NATO, including Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T, supplemented by domestic solutions such as FrankenSAM and the recovered S-300 system. These tools, combined with Ukrainian innovations in detection, data processing, and electronic warfare, increase overall effectiveness. Some systems, such as NASAMS, have a very high success rate. Despite this, short-range ballistic missiles pose a major challenge due to their high speed, condensed trajectory, and more complex interception.
The effectiveness of the NASAMS system and its operational performance
The NASAMS system, jointly developed by Kongsberg (Norway) and Raytheon, is a medium-range air defense system using the AMRAAM missile, the ER, IRIS-T or AIM-9X versions. At the end of 2024, Ukraine had approximately 8 to 12 NASAMS batteries, each comprising several launch vehicles and Sentinel AN/MPQ-64F1 radars.
By early 2025, this system had intercepted approximately 900 air threats (drones, cruise missiles) with a success rate of 94%. On average, 60% of the threats neutralized were sophisticated cruise missiles such as Kh-101, Kalibr, Iskander-K, Kh-59, or Kh-69. An engagement in April 2025 saw 11 missiles intercepted in less than two minutes by a unit led by a renowned Ukrainian operator.
Thanks to its open architecture, NASAMS can operate more than 30 radar models and different types of missiles. This modularity allows Sentinel and TRML-4D radars or IRIS-T missiles to be integrated, optimizing coverage while simplifying logistics and maintenance. The main advantage in Ukraine would be its ability to interdict cruise missiles en masse, while remaining mobile and quick to deploy around Kiev or strategic infrastructure.
The Patriot system’s contribution to countering ballistic threats
The MIM-104 Patriot remains the only Western system capable of intercepting hypersonic ballistic missiles such as the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal. Ukraine has received at least six Patriot batteries from the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, and Romania, with two more expected from Germany and Israel in 2025.
The Patriot is deployed mainly around Kyiv. In 2023, it intercepted a Kinzhal missile during a night raid, marking the first operational use of this type for Ukraine. It also shot down several Russian Su-34 aircraft in the Bryansk Oblast.
However, well-coordinated strikes by Russian Iskander-M missiles damaged Patriot batteries in 2024 and 2025. In May 2025, the Ukrainian Army reported that Iskander missiles, equipped with terminal maneuvers and decoys, had successfully deceived some Patriot systems, destroying radars and launch vehicles.
The role of IRIS-T systems and other complementary tools
The IRIS-T SLM system, supplied by Germany, provides an additional layer of defense against drones and medium-range cruise missiles. According to Diehl Defense, this system has achieved a strike rate of nearly 100%, with 240 documented neutralizations by the end of 2024. During one engagement, an IRIS-T unit intercepted eight missiles in 30 seconds, demonstrating high multi-target capability.
Other systems in use include the FrankenSAM, a local adaptation of the Ukrainian Buk modified to fire Sea Sparrow or Sidewinder missiles. This tactical hack allowed Shahed drones to be shot down as early as January 2024. Legacy S-300 systems have also been activated in certain areas. Short-range systems such as the 9K38 Igla also hit drones and strike aircraft early in the war.
Current limitations and leverage for operational progress
Overall, the combined interception rate through October 2024 was approximately 84%, according to a CSIS study. Despite this, the defense system has shortcomings when it comes to short-range ballistic missiles: reaction times are short and trajectories are fast. Patriot systems are not yet sufficient in number, and Patriots are less effective at intercepting the latest Kinzhal missiles.
In addition, some areas of the country remain poorly protected. Recent reports indicate that in some regions the drone destruction rate has fallen to 30% due to Russian tactics aimed at exhausting Ukrainian interceptor stocks.
Technical recommendations and prospects for optimization
To strengthen Ukraine’s defense, several pragmatic options are emerging:
- Increase the deployment of Patriot batteries, particularly to cover ballistic missile routes.
- Increase integration between NASAMS and short-range systems such as Hawk or FrankenSAM, using a common command system such as the NASAMS-inspired Digital Command Post.
- Improve logistics and missile stocks, as Patriot production is limited to around 600 units per year.
- Optimize the use of adaptable multi-system radars, particularly for urban areas.
- Develop complementary electronic warfare capabilities to increase the interception rate without consuming missiles.
These combined approaches would maintain a high interception rate, even against mixed salvos of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.
Ukraine’s defense systems demonstrate remarkable resilience: NASAMS neutralizes 94% of threats, IRIS-T achieves nearly 100%, and Patriot remains the only viable solution against fast ballistic missiles. However, threats are evolving: Iskander-M, Kinzhal, and sophisticated kamikaze drones are testing the systems. According to one expert, the key lies in integrating defense layers, platform modularity, and efficient interceptor stocks to avoid exhaustion during a prolonged campaign.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.