Ukraine Will Receive New Crotale Air Defense Systems and Has Already Received Additional Missiles for Its Air Defense Forces — Zelensky

Ukraine has received AIM missiles and additional missiles for Patriot air defense systems, as well as confirmation of the transfer of several Crotale systems and ammunition.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this during a joint press conference with Estonian President Alar Karis, according to Suspilne.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine has received confirmation of the delivery of several French-made Crotale air defense systems and missiles, though he did not specify the exact country of origin. The head of state also noted that Ukraine has received a new batch of AIM air-to-air missiles, as well as additional missiles for the Patriot air defense systems.

“And we’ve received a few more Patriot missiles. I can’t say exactly how many, but just a few. We need more,” the president said.

In Ukraine’s air defense, the American Patriot systems use PAC-2 series missiles to engage aerodynamic targets at long ranges and PAC-3 interceptors designed for the direct kinetic interception of ballistic missiles.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military uses guided missiles from the AIM family, such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM, from F-16 fighter jets and NASAMS air defense systems to destroy cruise missiles, drones, and enemy aircraft.

The French Crotale air defense missile system is designed to destroy aerial targets at low and very low altitudes, from 15 meters to 6 km, at ranges of up to 10–16 km. The system is effective against cruise missiles, drones, fighter jets, and helicopters.