F-35 fighter pilots were attacked by drones AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. The launch of the rocket costs more than € 400 thousand, the publication notes, while Shaheda is only a few thousand euros. In total, three drones were shot down.
A senior NATO officer told the publication that in the long run the use of the F-35 against drones does not make military meaning. Therefore, according to Bild, the Alliance considers various options for counteracting Russian provocations.
The first-NATO countries could deploy additional air defense funds (fighters, Patriot, Iris-T, military) systems on the eastern flank. The second is the launch of the mission of deterrence of air space, a similar mission of the Baltic watch, in which warships, submarines, reconnaissance aircraft and drones are involved. However, it is still unclear whether the NATO allies want another mission of deterrence, the publication says.
The third – NATO can learn from Ukraine, which has more effective means of protection against Russian drones. For example, Ukraine has sound sensors that can detect buzzing drones. The Ukrainian military on pickups equipped with machine guns monitor the drones and knock them down.
“One thing is clear: Germany urgently needs more effective protection against Russian drones,” the newspaper writes. The inspector of the Ground Forces, Lieutenant General Alfons Mas, in the comment of Bild called the air defense from drones the most dangerous and vulnerable flank.
