In the war in Ukraine, man-portable air defence missiles, better known as MANPADS, play a role that can hardly be overestimated. Systems such as the American Stinger and the Russian Igla are present in large numbers and are used daily by Ukrainian soldiers. Originally intended as a last line of defence against low-flying helicopters and aircraft, these weapons now have a much broader role in an airspace increasingly crowded with drones and missiles.
MANPADS are relatively easy to operate, mobile and quick to deploy. That is precisely why they are vital for infantry units. Soldiers carry them to the front line and can respond to unexpected air threats without extensive support. In a conflict where the sky above the battlefield is constantly contested, that is a decisive advantage. The video below shows a Russian Su-25 being shot down with MANPADS.
From helicopters to drones and cruise missiles
In the first phase of the war, MANPADS were used mainly against Russian helicopters and attack aircraft. These targets fly low and relatively slowly, which makes them vulnerable to infrared-guided missiles. As the conflict progressed, the nature of the threat changed. Drones of all shapes and sizes became a permanent part of Russian attacks.
Today, MANPADS are used not only against helicopters, but also against reconnaissance and attack drones. In some cases even cruise missiles have been intercepted. These missiles fly faster than drones, but often remain within the range and speed for which MANPADS were originally designed. That such targets can be hit at all by portable systems shows how flexible these weapons have proven to be in practice.
Daily use at the front
For Ukrainian soldiers, MANPADS are often the last resort. When larger air defence systems are not available, or when attacks happen too suddenly, a MANPADS sometimes offers the only chance to stop a threat. That applies especially to front lines and urban areas where heavy systems are hard to deploy.
Soldiers describe using MANPADS as intense and stressful. The operator has only a few seconds to identify, track and fire at a target. Yet countless confirmed hits show that Ukrainian units manage to use these systems effectively, even under harsh conditions and with limited means.
Who supplies these MANPADS?
MANPADS suppliers follow the conflict in Ukraine closely. For them it is a harsh but realistic test environment in which their systems are used under extreme conditions. Manufacturers stress that MANPADS were never intended as complete air defence, but as a supplement to larger systems. The war shows, however, that in practice they often play a much bigger role than originally envisaged.
Some producers point out that modern variants have improved sensors and better resistance to countermeasures, making them more suitable for intercepting small, hard-to-detect targets such as drones. At the same time, they acknowledge that the high consumption in Ukraine shows how important scalable production and logistics support are.
Ukrainian adaptations and new tactics
Ukraine itself has adapted the use of MANPADS to the changing threat. Instead of isolated operators, they are increasingly used as part of mobile air defence teams. These teams combine MANPADS with radar detection, visual observation and communication with other units to increase their chances of success.
Technological improvements are also being looked at. Experiments are under way with mounting MANPADS on vehicles and even on automated platforms, so that the operator is better protected and can react faster. These adaptations show how classic weapons continue to develop within a modern conflict. See the video below
A lasting role in a changing airspace
Despite the rise of advanced air defence systems, drones and electronic warfare, MANPADS remain an essential part of Ukraine’s defence. They are cheap compared with larger systems, quick to deploy and flexible enough to tackle a wide range of threats.
The war has made clear that air defence is not only about large, complex systems. Sometimes it is a single soldier with a portable missile who makes the difference. In that respect, MANPADS are not a relic of the past, but a weapon that has adapted to the reality of modern warfare.
