NATO Accelerates Defense Innovations: Combat Helicopters Face Extinction in Ukraine

Combat helicopters are facing what may be their last battle in Ukraine, as the conflict has highlighted their vulnerabilities. Mick Ryan, a former major general of the Australian Army, has questioned the future role of manned military air power. He described it as 'unlikely' that manned combat aircraft will penetrate enemy airspace and complex air defense systems in the future.

NATO seems to be accelerating this development, having learned lessons from the Ukraine war. At the recent Eurosatory arms fair in Paris, the Norwegian arms company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace showcased NOMAD (National Manoeuvre Air Defence), a highly mobile defense system. This system could serve as Ukraine's life insurance against Russian air strikes.

NOMAD is a tracked air defense missile system designed for the immediate protection of ground troops. The Norwegian Ministry of Defense is testing the system in the Arctic, aiming for full operational capability between 2026 and 2028. The Netherlands and Germany have also expressed interest in the system.

The German government is considering providing the Ukrainian Air Force with this system, potentially equipped with German components like the Iris-T SLS guided missile. This system could target Russian attack helicopters, which have been particularly problematic for Ukraine.

The Ukraine war may signal the end of attack helicopters as we know them. The US military has already scrapped a promising helicopter project, indicating a shift towards unmanned and space-based resources. Russia has lost almost 140 helicopters in the Ukraine war so far, with significant losses in its fleet of Ka-52 Kamaz Alligator attack helicopters.

Supporting infantry offensives is a primary task for attack helicopters, but modern air defenses like NOMAD could level the playing field for Ukrainian defenders. The loss of helicopters also means a loss of qualified pilots, further weakening Russia's capabilities.

The discussion extends to Germany, where the decommissioning of the 'Tiger' combat helicopter has sparked debates about the future of manned combat helicopters. The US and German military leaderships see these helicopters as a temporary solution at best, advocating for investments in capabilities that will deter China and Russia in the short term.

Meanwhile, Russian armed forces have launched a new 'massive' attack on energy infrastructure in western and southern Ukraine. This is the eighth such attack in the last three months, causing frequent power cuts and damaging facilities in Zaporizhia and Lviv. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for installing solar panels and energy storage units in schools and hospitals to mitigate the crisis.

Washington has decided to prioritize Ukraine over other allies in the supply of missiles for anti-aircraft defense, highlighting the urgency of bolstering Ukraine's air defense capabilities.