Best anti air systems given to Ukraine so far?

[ColinC]

So far I think they have not received any s-300s or S-400s, but the UK has supposedly sent Starstreak missiles which I think are more effective than the stingers we have been sending. Is Ukraine set to receive anything better -or have they received anything better (in the context of anti air)?

[Abnredleg]

1. They been receiving MANPADS

Such as Stinger, Starstreak and Igla. Starstreak is not a simple weapon to use since you have to guide the weapon onto the target so I don’t know if they’re operational. As to the S-300s, there was talk of transferring them from previous users such as Slovakia but that won’t happen until NATO gets Patriot units in place to replace the AD capability. No point in sending Patriot since the Ukrainians won’t be able to use them effectively.

[ColinC]

2. My question is

Is Starstreak a superior or just equivalent manpad to the stinger? I think the delay on the Starstreak system had to do with making sure Ukrainians completed the training before receiving them, or something.

Also, I imagine if there is any feeling this war could last longer than several months, it would seem to make sense to start training Ukrainians on the patriot systems in case they are still needed in several months.

I'm not too confident about the s-300/400s. I fear the west may still see that as too much of an escalation and will find some reason to halt Ukraine receiving them.

[Abnredleg]

3. Starstreak is a very different system

Than Stinger. Stinger has a infrared seeker and is fire and forget, which makes it easy to use. Starstreak has three separate warheads that are laser guided, which means the gunner has to manually track the target. It is the fastest MANPAD in service so you don’t have to track for long, and it can’t be decoyed by flares, but it takes several hours in a simulator to become proficient at it. So yes, it is as good as Singer, but only with a trained crew, so training is going to be key here.

[ColinC]

5. Yeah I'm optimistic.

From what I've seen, it looks like there has been a training period that was completed pending the announcement of actually sending the systems. I will say...

They certainly look very cool!

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

4. The Starstreak has some advantages

Its faster and has a longer range. Its primary disadvantage is its not a "fire and forget" system. Its laser guided and requires the operator to keep the target illuminated. This means the operator is exposed in the same location until the missile hits or misses. If the operator can't keep the aircraft targeted or is killed before the missile reaches its target, the missile will miss. The upside is since the missile doesn't have active homing, most countermeasures are not effective on it. Training can be an issue since it requires more user input to properly target something. I can't see it being too effective against fast moving jets flying low enough to be within its range due to the difficulty of keeping the laser on target. They should be much more effective against slower moving helicopters though.

[ColinC]

6. Very interesting! Thank you!

So at the very least, Russia will probably need to say goodbye to their helicopters

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

7. Yea

Shots against planes would be much easier if they had a good angle on them. One where the plane is moving away from them ideally since the speed of the missile could easily catch up to the plane. But a plane traversing across your field of view from left to right or vice versa would be extreme difficult to keep on target.