The American C-RAM tactical air defense systems are capable of effectively protecting Ukrainian cities from cruise missiles and kamikaze drone attacks. Their transfer to the Ukrainian Armed Forces is highly desirable.

Taras Chmut, Head of the Come Back Alive Foundation, voiced this opinion on October 10 in the “Фронтова поплава” (Frontova Poplava- ed.) podcast.

“These systems today could greatly cover Kyiv and the city center. Provided that we had them. There are quite a few of them in the United States. And this is an absolutely tactical missile defense, which does not affect the conduct of war somewhere within the Russian Federation or the reservations that the Americans have towards supporting us,” Chmut said.

According to Taras Chmut, the storage of the US Army has extensive reserves of these systems, which were kept after the contingent withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan.

In July, the U.S. senators proposed transferring the C-RAM to Ukraine in their letter to the Pentagon.

The U.S. parliamentarians believe that C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) and Avenger SAM are the systems that should be delivered to Ukraine as a priority.

At the same time, according to Taras Chmut, the Ukrainian side does not include this weapon in the list of the primarily desired equipment.

C-RAM is a tactical air defense system designed to protect against missiles, artillery shells, and mines.

Radars, along with optical, electronic, and acoustic sensors, are used as detection tools. C-RAM can also be integrated into a common detection system.

An example of the U.S. C-RAM system is the Centurion complex. It has a ship’s Phalanx CIWS anti-aircraft artillery system. Its six-barrel 20 mm gun is capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 1.5 km at a fire rate of 3000 rounds per minute.