Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defense systems, in particular short-range air defense, to destroy attack drones. This was announced by Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during a press conference.
"Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defense systems, and we expect F-16s to arrive in Ukraine, which will be able to change the air confrontation in our favor, i.e. provide air superiority and reduce the activity of enemy aircraft on the southern and eastern directions," he said.
Ihnat also emphasized that the whole of Ukraine is waiting for good news from Washington on the provision of additional systems for the country's defense, as well as from Ramstein, "which may give Ukrainians more opportunities."
"The decisions that will be made are about strengthening our air defense. In particular, we are talking not only about long-range Petriot or IRIS-T systems, NASAMS, but also about short-range air defense, which is capable of effectively and automatically destroying Shaheds," the spokesman said.
According to Ihnat, the increase in attacks by strike UAVs indicates the need to improve air defense and mobile fire groups to repel attacks by strike UAVs.
He also hopes for positive news on the provision of additional systems for Ukraine's defense from Washington and Ramstein.
These measures, according to the spokesman, are aimed at increasing the effectiveness of defense and preventing a shortage of missiles to destroy attack UAVs.
