Ukrainian Armed Forces Put Avenger SAM System on Combat Standby Duty
5 April, 2023 AN/TWQ-1 Avenger self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system of the Ukrainian military. April 2023. Ukraine.
Frame from the video of the Army of Ukraine The AN/TWQ-1 Avenger Air Defense System took up combat standby duty in Ukraine, stated Lieutenant General Serhii Nayev. Nayev, who is the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, noted that Ukrainian soldiers received training on the operation with the Avenger air defense systems in Germany.
"Avenger air defense missile systems are already on combat standby duty in the Northern Operating Zone," said Serhii Nayev. SAMs are equipped with a thermal sight, thanks to which they can operate day and night. The SAM is armed with Stinger missiles, and also has a Browning AN/M3 heavy machine gun. "They are able to provide short-range mobile air defense for civilian infrastructure facilities, units of the Security and Defense Forces from cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, aircraft and helicopters at low altitudes," said Serhii Nayev.
In total, Ukraine should have received from the United States 12 such anti-aircraft missile systems. These vehicles arrived from the United States in Germany in the first half of February. The equipment was delivered to the German port of Bremerhaven.
Potential
The system is designed to defeat air targets at altitudes of 0.5-3.8 km and ranges of 0.5-5.5 km.
American self-propelled short-range anti-aircraft missile system mounted on the chassis of the army's HMMWV.
AN/TWQ-1 Avenger self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system of the Ukrainian military. April 2023.
Ukraine. Frame from the video of the Army of Ukraine
The air defense system has two containers of 4 FIM-92 Stinger missiles, a M2 Browning 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, and an optical-electronic station. The SAM is supplied with a remote control.
The detection system is all-weather and provides detection of targets under all visibility conditions thanks to the built-in thermal imager. Due to highly maneuverable missiles capable of independently aiming at the target, a heavy anti-aircraft machine gun, and a high level of automation, this system should become an effective and cheap tool of Ukraine's air defense.
The remote control panel of the AN/TWQ-1 Avenger self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system of the Ukrainian military. April 2023. Ukraine.
Frame from the video of the Army of Ukraine
Missiles from the FIM-92 Stinger portable anti-aircraft missile system are massively supplied to Ukraine by Western partner countries. The use of these relatively cheap and widespread missiles allows quick integration into Ukrainian logistics and going on combat duty. This anti-aircraft missile system can also strengthen the air defense of ground forces units on the front lines, protecting them from enemy army aviation and unmanned aerial vehicles.
AN/TWQ-1 Avenger self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system of the Ukrainian military. April 2023. Ukraine.
Frame from the video of the Army of Ukraine
The new air defense system can work while moving in a convoy: to protect both itself and other combat vehicles. This is a significant advantage over the usual infantry portable anti-aircraft system's crews. Avenger can also operate equally efficiently in all weather conditions and at any time of the day.
However, bad weather and twilight are a weak point of MANPADS infantry teams.