Tag archive

air defense Weapon Systems

Weapon systems and military equipment tagged air defense.

39 weapon systems

F-35I Adir, Fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsF-35I AdirFifth-generation stealth multirole fighterSide: Israel / Israel and United StatesBuilt: Lockheed Martin / United StatesThe F-35I Adir is Israel's customized F-35A-derived stealth fighter, operated by the Israeli Air Force with Israeli mission systems and local sustainment arrangements. Its documented recent combat roles include air-defense interception against Houthi-launched cruise missiles and an Israeli-reported F-35I shootdown of an Iranian Yak-130 during air operations over Iran.

F-16 Barak, Israeli F-16C/D multirole fighter variant, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsF-16 BarakIsraeli F-16C/D multirole fighter variantSide: IsraelBuilt: General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin; Israeli modifications by Israeli defense industry / United States / IsraelThe F-16 Barak is Israel's locally modified F-16C/D Fighting Falcon family, built from U.S.-origin Block 30 and Block 40 airframes and adapted with Israeli avionics, electronic-warfare equipment, mission systems, and weapons integration. The type has remained an Israeli Air Force strike workhorse beside newer F-16I Sufa and F-35I Adir aircraft, with recent source-backed use in Gaza, Lebanon, and long-range strikes against Iran.

Karrar, Jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle and target drone, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsKarrarJet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle and target droneSide: HezbollahBuilt: Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) / IranKarrar is an Iranian jet-powered unmanned aircraft derived from target-drone concepts and adapted for reconnaissance, strike, air-defense training, and missile-armed interceptor roles. The system is associated with HESA production, Iranian air-defense modernization, and reported Hezbollah UAV inventories during the recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

F-16 Fighting Falcon, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsF-16 Fighting FalconMultirole fighter aircraftSide: Ukraine / Israel / United StatesBuilt: General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin / United StatesThe F-16 Fighting Falcon is a U.S.-designed single-engine multirole fighter used for air defense, air-to-air combat, suppression support, and precision strike missions. Its recent conflict record includes Ukrainian operation of Western-supplied aircraft in the Russia-Ukraine War, Israeli F-16I strike sorties during Operation Rising Lion, and U.S. F-16 employment in Operation Epic Fury against Iran.

Mirage 2000, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsMirage 2000Multirole fighter aircraftSide: UkraineBuilt: Dassault Aviation / FranceThe Mirage 2000 is a French single-engine multirole fighter designed by Dassault Aviation around a delta-wing airframe and SNECMA M53-P2 engine. France transferred Mirage 2000-5 aircraft to Ukraine in 2025, adding a Western fighter type for air-defense missions against Russian missile, drone, and aircraft threats.

F-16I Sufa, Two-seat multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsF-16I SufaTwo-seat multirole fighter aircraftSide: IsraelBuilt: Lockheed Martin with Israeli mission-system integration by Israel Aerospace Industries Lahav and Israeli partners / United States / IsraelThe F-16I Sufa is Israel's customized two-seat F-16D Block 52+ derivative, built by Lockheed Martin with Israeli mission systems, conformal fuel tanks, a missionized rear cockpit, advanced radar, and compatibility with precision air-to-surface weapons. Its recent documented use centers on Israeli strike operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and the 2025 Israel-Iran air campaign.

Arrow-3, Exo-atmospheric anti-ballistic missile interceptor, Air Defense

Air DefenseArrow-3Exo-atmospheric anti-ballistic missile interceptorSide: Israel and United States / IsraelBuilt: Israel Aerospace Industries; Boeing; Elbit Systems; Tomer; Rafael Advanced Defense Systems / Israel and United StatesArrow-3 is the upper-tier interceptor in Israel's Arrow Weapon System, developed with U.S. support to destroy ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere. Its hit-to-kill kill vehicle, long-range engagement envelope, and integration with Israeli radar and battle-management systems make it a strategic layer above Arrow-2, David's Sling, and Iron Dome, with documented combat use against Houthi and Iranian ballistic missile attacks.

PAC-3 MSE, Hit-to-kill Patriot interceptor missile, Air Defense

Air DefensePAC-3 MSEHit-to-kill Patriot interceptor missileSide: Ukraine / United StatesBuilt: Lockheed Martin / United StatesPAC-3 MSE is the Missile Segment Enhancement variant of Lockheed Martin's Patriot PAC-3 hit-to-kill interceptor family. It adds a larger dual-pulse solid rocket motor, larger fins, upgraded actuators, and higher performance for defeating ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft while retaining compatibility with modern Patriot launchers.

S-400 Triumf, Long-range mobile surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Air DefenseS-400 TriumfLong-range mobile surface-to-air missile systemSide: RussiaBuilt: Almaz-Antey / RussiaThe S-400 Triumf, NATO reporting name SA-21 Growler, is a Russian road-mobile long-range air defense system built around networked command, search radar, engagement radar, and transporter-erector-launchers. It is designed to engage aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles, and some ballistic missile threats, and Russian S-400 batteries in occupied Crimea have been a recurring target in Ukraine's campaign against Russian air defenses.

MIM-104 Patriot, Long-range surface-to-air and ballistic missile defense system, Air Defense

Air DefenseMIM-104 PatriotLong-range surface-to-air and ballistic missile defense systemSide: Ukraine / United States / Yemeni government and coalition forcesBuilt: Raytheon (RTX) / Lockheed Martin / United StatesThe MIM-104 Patriot is a U.S.-origin, truck-mobile air and missile defense system built around phased-array radar, command-and-control vehicles, launchers, and PAC-2 or PAC-3 interceptor families. Its post-2015 combat record includes Ukrainian defense against Russian missile and air attacks, Saudi-led coalition defense against Houthi ballistic missile launches from Yemen, and U.S. Patriot batteries defending Al Udeid Air Base during Iranian retaliation after Operation Midnight Hammer.

S-300, Long-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Air DefenseS-300Long-range surface-to-air missile systemSide: Russia / Ukraine / IranBuilt: Almaz Central Design Bureau / Fakel Machine-Building Design Bureau / NPO Novator / Soviet Union / RussiaThe S-300 is a Soviet-origin family of mobile long-range surface-to-air missile systems used for area air defense against aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles, and some ballistic threats. In recent conflicts it has appeared both as a Ukrainian and Russian system in the Russia-Ukraine War and as a key Iranian strategic-site air-defense asset targeted during the Israel-Iran Conflict.

PPZR Grom, Man-portable air-defense system, Air Defense

Air DefensePPZR GromMan-portable air-defense systemSide: Russia-backed separatistsBuilt: MESKO S.A. / PolandPPZR Grom is a Polish shoulder-fired infrared surface-to-air missile system built by MESKO for short-range defense against visually acquired aircraft, helicopters, and other infrared-emitting targets. In the Russia-Ukraine War context, open-source arms researchers documented a Grom launcher tube reportedly seized from pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014, making the entry a recovered-conflict-system record rather than a confirmed Ukrainian-operated aid item.

9K333 Verba, Man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS), Air Defense

Air Defense9K333 VerbaMan-portable air-defense system (MANPADS)Side: RussiaBuilt: KB Mashinostroyeniya (KBM) / RussiaThe 9K333 Verba is a Russian shoulder-fired short-range surface-to-air missile system built around the 9M336 missile and a passive three-spectral thermal seeker. It is intended to engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aircraft, and cruise missiles, giving Russian small units a portable air-defense option in the Russia-Ukraine War.

Igla, Man-portable infrared-homing surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Air DefenseIglaMan-portable infrared-homing surface-to-air missile systemSide: UkraineBuilt: KB Mashinostroyeniya / Soviet Union / RussiaThe Igla family is a Soviet/Russian shoulder-fired MANPADS built to give small air-defense teams a mobile, infrared-guided weapon against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles. In the Russia-Ukraine War, Ukrainian units have used legacy Igla launchers alongside newer Western MANPADS as part of dispersed short-range air defense and mobile fire-group coverage.

David's Sling, Medium- to long-range air and missile defense system, Air Defense

Air DefenseDavid's SlingMedium- to long-range air and missile defense systemSide: IsraelBuilt: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Raytheon/RTX / Israel / United StatesDavid's Sling is the middle tier of Israel's layered missile-defense network, co-developed by Rafael and Raytheon/RTX around the hit-to-kill Stunner interceptor. It is designed to cover threats above Iron Dome and below Arrow, including heavy rockets, cruise missiles, aircraft, drones, and tactical ballistic missiles, with recent combat use documented against rockets from Gaza and Lebanon and Iranian ballistic missiles.

Aspide, Medium-range surface-to-air missile, Air Defense

Air DefenseAspideMedium-range surface-to-air missileSide: UkraineBuilt: Selenia / MBDA Italy / ItalyAspide is an Italian semi-active radar guided missile family used in air-to-air and surface-to-air roles, including SPADA and Skyguard ground-based air defense systems. In the Russia-Ukraine War, Spain transferred an Aspide anti-aircraft missile battery and trained Ukrainian personnel to add another Western medium-range layer to Ukraine's air defense network.

MIM-23 HAWK, Medium-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Air DefenseMIM-23 HAWKMedium-range surface-to-air missile systemSide: UkraineBuilt: Raytheon Company / United StatesThe MIM-23 HAWK is a U.S.-origin medium-range surface-to-air missile system built around radar acquisition, target illumination, and semi-active radar-homing missiles. Developed for mobile low- to medium-altitude air defense and repeatedly upgraded after its 1960 fielding, HAWK returned to operational relevance in Ukraine through donated launchers, refurbished missiles, and sustainment support for air-defense fire units.

S-350 Vityaz, Medium-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Air DefenseS-350 VityazMedium-range surface-to-air missile systemSide: RussiaBuilt: Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defence Corporation / RussiaThe S-350 Vityaz is a Russian mobile medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed for layered air defense against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, UAVs, and some ballistic targets. In the Russia-Ukraine War it has appeared in Russian air-defense deployments near Ukraine and in later reporting from eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian sources and defense reporting documented S-350 equipment being struck or destroyed.

SAMP/T, Mobile long-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Air DefenseSAMP/TMobile long-range surface-to-air missile systemSide: UkraineBuilt: Eurosam (MBDA / Thales) / France / ItalySAMP/T, also known as MAMBA in French service, is a Franco-Italian truck-mounted air and missile defense system built around Aster interceptors, a multifunction radar, and battery command-and-control modules. In Ukrainian service it fills a scarce long-range air-defense role against Russian aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, and some ballistic-missile threats.

Iron Dome, Mobile short-range air and missile defense system, Air Defense

Air DefenseIron DomeMobile short-range air and missile defense systemSide: IsraelBuilt: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems; Israel Aerospace Industries/ELTA; RTX/Raytheon co-production for Tamir components / Israel; United StatesIron Dome is an Israeli mobile air and missile defense system built around the Tamir interceptor, EL/M-2084 radar, and battle-management fire control to defeat short-range rockets, artillery, mortars, and selected UAV threats. It is the lowest tier of Israel's layered missile-defense architecture and has been repeatedly documented defending Israeli population centers during recent rocket and missile campaigns from Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.

Arash-e Kamangir, Mobile short-range air-defense / counter-UAV interceptor system, Air Defense

Air DefenseArash-e KamangirMobile short-range air-defense / counter-UAV interceptor systemSide: IranBuilt: Iranian defense industry / IranArash-e Kamangir is a newly reported Iranian mobile air-defense system associated with a claimed May 2026 shootdown of a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper near the Strait of Hormuz. Open reporting describes it as a domestically developed, lower-cost counter-UAV or short-range interceptor concept with concealed technical details, possible electro-optical or heat-seeking guidance, and a role in Iran's effort to preserve mobile air-defense threats after attacks on larger radar-based systems.

VAMPIRE, Modular counter-UAS rocket system, Air Defense

Air DefenseVAMPIREModular counter-UAS rocket systemSide: UkraineBuilt: L3Harris Technologies / United StatesVAMPIRE, short for Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment, is an L3Harris counter-UAS rocket system built as a self-contained kit for trucks and other flatbed platforms. In Ukraine it pairs an EO/IR targeting sensor with four-shot APKWS laser-guided rocket launchers, giving ground forces a mobile way to engage hostile drones and some ground threats at lower cost than larger air-defense interceptors.

SM-6, Multimission surface-to-air and terminal ballistic-missile interceptor, Air Defense

Air DefenseSM-6Multimission surface-to-air and terminal ballistic-missile interceptorSide: United States-led coalition / United StatesBuilt: Raytheon / United StatesThe SM-6, formally the RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile, is a U.S. Navy and Raytheon multimission missile for extended-range air defense, terminal ballistic-missile defense, and secondary anti-surface or strike roles. Its active seeker and Standard Missile airframe let Aegis ships engage aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, and some ballistic threats beyond the launching ship's own radar horizon.

Skynex, Networked short-range air defense system, Air Defense

Air DefenseSkynexNetworked short-range air defense systemSide: UkraineBuilt: Rheinmetall Air Defence AG / Switzerland / GermanySkynex is Rheinmetall Air Defence's modular short-range air defense architecture built around the Oerlikon Skymaster battle management system, networked sensors such as X-TAR3D, and autonomous effectors including 35 mm Revolver Gun Mk3 fire units with AHEAD air-burst ammunition. In Ukrainian service during the Russia-Ukraine War, the system fills a point-defense role against drones, cruise missiles, and other low-altitude threats around critical infrastructure.

Flakpanzer Gepard, Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, Air Defense

Air DefenseFlakpanzer GepardSelf-propelled anti-aircraft gunSide: UkraineBuilt: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann / KNDS Deutschland / GermanyThe Flakpanzer Gepard is a tracked German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun built around twin 35 mm automatic cannons and onboard search and tracking radars. In Ukraine it fills a short-range air defense role, pairing Leopard 1 mobility with gun-based engagement of low-flying aircraft, helicopters, missiles, and drones.

AN/TWQ-1 Avenger, Self-propelled short-range air defense system, Air Defense

Air DefenseAN/TWQ-1 AvengerSelf-propelled short-range air defense systemSide: UkraineBuilt: Boeing / United StatesThe AN/TWQ-1 Avenger is a Boeing-developed short-range air defense system that mounts a stabilized turret with Stinger missile pods and an M3P .50 caliber machine gun on a HMMWV chassis. In Ukrainian service it adds a mobile, point-defense layer against drones, helicopters, low-flying aircraft, and cruise-missile threats during the Russia-Ukraine War.

Pantsir-S1, Self-propelled short-range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft gun system, Air Defense

Air DefensePantsir-S1Self-propelled short-range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft gun systemSide: Russia / UkraineBuilt: KBP Instrument Design Bureau / RussiaThe Pantsir-S1 is a Russian mobile point-defense system that combines command-guided surface-to-air missiles, twin 30 mm automatic cannon, radar tracking, and electro-optical fire control on a wheeled combat vehicle. It is intended to defend military units, air-defense sites, and infrastructure from aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, precision weapons, and UAVs, and has been documented in Russian service during the Russia-Ukraine War with some systems captured and reused by Ukraine.

SM-3, Ship- and shore-launched exo-atmospheric ballistic missile interceptor, Air Defense

Air DefenseSM-3Ship- and shore-launched exo-atmospheric ballistic missile interceptorSide: United StatesBuilt: Raytheon; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for Block IIA co-development and components / United States; JapanThe SM-3 is a Standard Missile family interceptor for Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense ships and Aegis Ashore sites. Unlike area air-defense missiles built around blast-fragmentation warheads, it uses a hit-to-kill kinetic vehicle to destroy ballistic missiles in the midcourse phase outside the atmosphere, with Block IB and Block IIA variants forming a key U.S. and allied upper-tier missile-defense layer.

9K33 Osa, Short-range self-propelled surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Air Defense9K33 OsaShort-range self-propelled surface-to-air missile systemSide: Russia / UkraineBuilt: Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant (IEMZ) / Soviet UnionThe 9K33 Osa, NATO reporting name SA-8 Gecko, is a Soviet short-range self-propelled surface-to-air missile system that combines search radar, tracking radar, command guidance, and ready-to-fire missiles on a single amphibious 6x6 TELAR. In the Russia-Ukraine War it appears on both sides of the air-defense fight, including Ukrainian systems reinforced by Polish-supplied Osa vehicles and visually documented Russian losses.

Crotale, Short-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Air DefenseCrotaleShort-range surface-to-air missile systemSide: UkraineBuilt: Thales Group / FranceCrotale is a French short-range surface-to-air missile family built around radar and electro-optical target tracking. The Crotale NG variant paired the VT-1 missile with an integrated launcher, search radar, tracking radar, and optical sensors, making it useful for point defense of forces and fixed sites against low-altitude air threats. France supplied Crotale NG systems to Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine War to reinforce layered air defense against Russian missiles, aircraft, helicopters, and drones.

S-60, Towed 57 mm anti-aircraft gun, Air Defense

Air DefenseS-60Towed 57 mm anti-aircraft gunSide: UkraineBuilt: Plant No. 4 named after Voroshilov, Krasnoyarsk / Soviet UnionThe S-60 is a Soviet 57 mm towed anti-aircraft gun adopted in 1950 for low- and medium-altitude air defense. In Ukraine it has reappeared as an improvised, mobile gun system, often mounted on trucks and used less as a classic radar-directed anti-aircraft battery than as a rapid fire-support weapon against drones, positions, infantry, and light armored vehicles.

ZU-23-2, Towed twin 23 mm anti-aircraft autocannon, Air Defense

Air DefenseZU-23-2Towed twin 23 mm anti-aircraft autocannonSide: UkraineBuilt: KBP Instrument Design Bureau and multiple state/license producers / Soviet Union, Russia, Bulgaria, Poland, Egypt, ChinaThe ZU-23-2 is a Soviet twin 23 mm towed anti-aircraft autocannon built around two 2A14 guns on a light carriage. Its manual sighting, rapid emplacement, and high volume of fire make it a close-range air-defense weapon against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and drones, while many operators also use it for direct fire against light vehicles and infantry positions. In the Russia-Ukraine War, Ukrainian units have kept the system relevant in mobile and positional air-defense teams.

Buk-M2, Tracked medium-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Air DefenseBuk-M2Tracked medium-range surface-to-air missile systemSide: RussiaBuilt: Almaz-Antey / RussiaThe Buk-M2 is a Russian tracked medium-range surface-to-air missile system in the Buk family, using the 9M317 missile and networked radars to defend maneuver forces and key areas against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, precision weapons, and some ballistic targets. In the Russia-Ukraine War it appears on the Russian side as part of layered battlefield air defense, where Ukrainian forces have targeted its launchers and associated radar vehicles.

ZSU-23-4 Shilka, Tracked self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, Air Defense

Air DefenseZSU-23-4 ShilkaTracked self-propelled anti-aircraft gunSide: Russia / UkraineBuilt: Mytishchi Machine-Building Plant / Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant / Soviet UnionThe ZSU-23-4 Shilka is a Soviet tracked self-propelled anti-aircraft gun built around a radar-directed turret with four 23 mm autocannons. Designed to accompany maneuver forces against low-flying aircraft and helicopters, it remains relevant in Ukraine as a short-range air-defense and direct-fire platform, with visually documented losses on both Russian and Ukrainian sides.

2K22 Tunguska, Tracked self-propelled gun-missile air defense system, Air Defense

Air Defense2K22 TunguskaTracked self-propelled gun-missile air defense systemSide: Russia / UkraineBuilt: KBP Instrument Design Bureau / Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant / Soviet Union / RussiaThe 2K22 Tunguska is a Soviet-designed tracked short-range air defense system that combines twin 30 mm autocannons, 9M311-family surface-to-air missiles, search and tracking radars, and a protected self-propelled chassis. Built to cover maneuver formations against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and later unmanned threats, it appears in the Russia-Ukraine War mainly as a Russian front-line air-defense asset with visually documented combat losses.

9K35 Strela-10, Tracked short-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Air Defense9K35 Strela-10Tracked short-range surface-to-air missile systemSide: Ukraine / RussiaBuilt: Saratov Aggregate Plant / Kovrov Mechanical Plant / Soviet Union / RussiaThe 9K35 Strela-10, NATO reporting name SA-13 Gopher, is a Soviet tracked short-range air defense system mounted on an MT-LB chassis. Built to protect maneuver forces from low-flying aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and UAVs, it remains relevant in Ukraine because both sides use mobile air-defense vehicles against the dense reconnaissance-drone threat.

THAAD, Transportable anti-ballistic missile defense system, Air Defense

Air DefenseTHAADTransportable anti-ballistic missile defense systemSide: Yemeni government and coalition forces / United States / Israel and United StatesBuilt: Lockheed Martin / United StatesTHAAD is a U.S. transportable ballistic-missile defense system built around hit-to-kill interceptors, truck-mounted launchers, fire-control equipment, and AN/TPY-2 radar. It protects forces and population centers against short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats in the terminal phase, with documented recent use by the UAE against Houthi missiles and U.S. deployment to Israel after Iranian attacks.

Arrow-2, Upper-layer anti-ballistic missile interceptor, Air Defense

Air DefenseArrow-2Upper-layer anti-ballistic missile interceptorSide: Israel and United States / IsraelBuilt: Israel Aerospace Industries MLM Division with U.S. industrial partners / Israel / United StatesArrow-2 is the endo- and upper-atmospheric interceptor in Israel's Arrow Weapon System, built to defeat short- and medium-range ballistic missiles before impact. Developed by Israel with major U.S. cooperation, it pairs two-stage solid-propellant interceptors with Green Pine radar, battle management, and launcher elements, giving Israel an upper-layer defense below the longer-range Arrow-3 layer.

DShK, 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, Infantry Weapons

Infantry WeaponsDShK12.7 mm heavy machine gunSide: UkraineBuilt: Tula Ordnance Factory / Soviet state arsenals / Soviet UnionThe DShK is a Soviet 12.7 mm heavy machine gun designed by Vasily Degtyaryov and refined with Georgy Shpagin's belt-feed system. Built for anti-aircraft, anti-vehicle, and infantry support roles, the weapon remains relevant in Ukraine because inherited DShK and DShKM guns can be adapted for trench support or mounted in mobile air-defense teams against slow Russian drones.