Ukraine begins to use US tactics during Vietnam War against russian army

Ukraine's Air Force has adopted a page from the playbook of the US Air Force during the Vietnam War, aiming to dismantle Russian air defenses on the front lines. Business Insider reports this strategy, gleaned from scrutinizing footage of Ukrainian combat aircraft sorties. Known as "Wild Weasels," the tactic involves jet pilots coaxing enemy air defense radars into revealing themselves. Once pinpointed, AGM-88 (HARM) missiles are dispatched to neutralize the identified radar sources.

Beginning in mid-2022, the US will furnish Ukraine with air-to-surface HARM missiles, boasting a range of approximately 150 km. These missiles possess the capability to detect and strike enemy radars even after they've been deactivated. The US military previously deployed HARM missiles for similar purposes in conflicts spanning Libya, Iraq, and the former Yugoslavia.

Yet, integrating HARM missiles for use with Ukraine's predominantly Soviet-era MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft poses challenges. To bridge this gap, Kyiv has ingeniously employed iPad tablets for missile control, as revealed by US Under Secretary of Defense, William LaPlante.

Nevertheless, Ukraine is slated to receive Western F-16 fighter jets this year, courtesy of Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium. Initial deliveries are anticipated around June or July.

Frederik Mertens, an analyst at the Hague Center for Strategic Studies, underscores Ukraine's embrace of Western military methodologies. He acknowledges the inherent risks of employing "Wild Weasels" tactics but deems the endeavor worthwhile. Mertens emphasizes that Russian air defense assets remain the primary target for the Ukrainian military, employing a diverse arsenal including aviation, GMLRS and ATACMS missiles, drones, and even special forces operations.

Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute specializing in aviation and technology, notes Russia's adaptive response to these assaults. HARM launches now serve a more strategic rather than purely destructive role, with Russian surface-to-air missile systems (SAMS) operators swiftly deactivating radars and relocating to evade incoming strikes. Bronk points out the resulting narrow window during which other strike systems, such as HIMARS or Storm Shadow missiles, can engage nearby targets with reduced risk of interception by Russian air defense systems.