Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jets were equipped with the capacity to use ADM-160 MALD decoys.

The photo of the MiG-29 equipped with this decoy was posted by Colby Badhwar, journalist of the English edition of the Insider publication.

Ukraine’s use of more ATACMS missiles means that the ADM-160 MALD can be used in combination with them and Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missiles to increase the efficiency of breaking through Russian air defense.

“The more strike capabilities Ukraine gets, the less effective Russia’s integrated air and missile defense network is,” Colby Badhwar noted.

The use of ADM-160 MALD was first reported back in 2023.

Last May, an explosion occurred in the city center of occupied Luhansk. The remains of an ADM-160 MALD aviation decoy missile were found near the site of the explosion.

The transfer of these missiles to the Ukrainian armament has not been reported prior.

This Miniature Air-Launched Decoy was developed in 2003 by the American corporation Raytheon.

The ADM-160 MALD product in all modifications is actually an air launched cruise missile.

It differs from combat weapons by the use of a special payload in the form of active or passive jamming means, depending on modification.

ADM-160B has an autopilot performing a preset flight program. Using satellite navigation, it guides the equipment along a given route.

There are several ways to use MALD with different effects. A false target can simply fly to a given area and divert air defenses, reducing risks to a real missile. In addition, combat and auxiliary vehicles can fly nearby, making them difficult to identify, and interfere with the escort and defeat of the missile.