'Neptune' missile strike shows strength of Ukraine's homegrown weapons

[IronLionZion]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/15/neptune-ukraine-moskva/



Soon after Russia seized Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014, a Ukrainian defense firm used an arms show in Kyiv to unveil its latest project: an anti-ship cruise missile it called “Neptune.”

The new missile drew little attention at the time. But now it is in the spotlight after a U.S. defense official said Ukrainian forces used Neptune missiles to strike and sink Russia’s flagship Moskva war vessel in the Black Sea.

The strike on Wednesday marked a major boost for Ukraine — not only for its war effort but also for the homegrown arms industry, even as it relies on weapons donated by Western allies.

“For the Ukrainians, if they were able to sink this ship or damage it with their own Neptune missiles, that’s a point of pride, first, and a useful military capability in that they will be able to keep the Russian fleet at bay,” said Mark Cancian, senior adviser for the international security program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

I was curious about Neptunes and wouldn't underestimate the Ukrainians. Ukraine has a long history of arms manufacturing and exporting going back to Soviet times.

[oioioi]

1. Masters of War

[SergeStorms]

2. From what I understand....

the manufacturing facility where the Neptune missiles were made was one of the first places Russia hit with their own missiles and artillery.

It's unknown how many of these missiles Ukraine has in stock, but they're being very spartan in their use. They waited until the Moskva was in port and well within range of the Neptune before deploying two of them.

Who knows how many they have remaining, but they certainly made good use of the two they used. This will cut down on Russia missile launches from sea by quite a bit.

Now, if they manufactured a missile that can knock out Russian mobile missile launchers they'll really put a dent in Russia's lethality.

[sir pball]

3. I've read a (very flimsy) report the UK is now offering Harpoons.

It's a laughable source, but if it's true – the Harpoon has been developed over the last 40 years for the express purpose of sinking the biggest and best Russian surface ships. It would be an unbelievably powerful weapon for Ukrainian naval operations.

https://eurasiantimes.com/uk-goes-for-the-kill-plans-to-equip-ukraine-with-lethal-anti-ship-missiles/

Harpoon Missile Wiki

[relayerbob]

4. See this

https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3418625-ukrainian-military-already-carry-out-about-50-precision-strikes-with-vilkha-missile-systems.html

[lagomorph777]

5. Thanks for sharing. Very interesting.

Ukraine will have a lot of customers after they win this war.

[calimary]

6. That's certainly one way to fund their nationwide recovery/rebuilding efforts.

They've got a HUGE job ahead of them when this is over - whenever that may be.

[lagomorph777]

7. Yes - and they make excellent rocket engines (which Russia depends on).

They'll need help putting it all back together, but they have a strong foundation in tech.

[onetexan]

8. K&R

[Demovictory9]

9. yes, I wonder if Europe will launch a rebuilding of Ukraine effort

[AntiFascist]

10. There's also the Dnipropetrovsk Tractor Factory, hehe...

[IronLionZion]

11. Maybe they can steal warships the same way they steal tanks