Latest news with #C-RAM
Forbes
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
The Air Defenses Iraqi Kurdistan Can Realistically Hope To Receive
A Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM) system firing. Iraqi Kurdistan has once again found its territory, including its oilfields and main international airport in the capital, Erbil, targeted by explosive drones. These attacks again underscore the autonomous region's urgent need for air defense systems, which the United States has pledged to supply. However, it remains unclear what specific systems, if any, Erbil may ultimately receive. At 2:30 am local time Monday morning, an explosive drone was successfully intercepted near Erbil International Airport, according to a statement from Iraqi Kurdistan's Directorate General of Counter Terrorism. The interception did not cause casualties or material damage, the CTD statement added. Later the same. day, another drone attack damaged water pipelines at the Khurmala oilfield southwest of Erbil. Yet another drone attack targeting Iraqi Kurdistan's Sarsang oilfield resulted in a halt in production on Tuesday morning. These incidents mark the latest of several drone attacks carried out across Iraqi Kurdistan since the end of the 12-day Israel-Iran War in June. For example, CTD announced another attempted drone strike against Erbil airport on July 3, also intercepted swiftly without any casualties or damage, only temporarily delaying a single landing aircraft. Earlier that day, another drone crashed near the airport in Kirkuk, which was previously hit four days earlier with rockets in another unclaimed attack. The United States has a troop base on the grounds of Erbil airport protected by a close-range Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar, C-RAM, system. The U.S. also deployed at least one MIM-104 Patriot system, which intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile headed for Israel during Iran's then-unprecedented April 13, 2024, ballistic missile and drone attack. Elsewhere in Iraqi Kurdistan, Kurdish forces intercepted an unidentified drone approaching another base hosting U.S.-led coalition forces in the eastern Sulaymaniyah province on July 10. Earlier in the month, another two drones were shot down over the province. An explosive drone also crashed into an internally displaced persons camp in Kurdistan's western Duhok province on July 1, sparking a fire but fortunately causing no casualties. That camp hosts Yazidis uprooted from their homes by the infamous August 2014 genocide perpetrated by the Islamic State group. The Kurdistan Regional Government has officially blamed Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces paramilitary for these attacks, an accusation Baghdad vehemently denies. Powerful Iran-backed elements in the PMF previously targeted U.S. bases in Iraqi Kurdistan with rockets and drones since 2020. Furthermore, uncovered debris from attacks on the Duhok camp, Sulaymaniyah, and Kirkuk matched components of Iranian-made Shahed-101 explosive drones. Since Congress passed the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, which included a provision for equipping Iraqi Kurdistan's Peshmerga forces with air defenses, in December 2023, Erbil has hoped the U.S. will finally supply air defenses. Since Iraqi Kurdistan isn't an independent country, it cannot purchase such systems off the shelf like sovereign states can, and as Iraq is presently doing with its acquisition of advanced medium-range KM-SAM systems from South Korea. Consequently, Erbil finds itself dependent on America's goodwill, especially given Baghdad's consistent track record of not sharing any military hardware with Erbil. A provision of any air defenses would undoubtedly improve Erbil's almost non-existent surface-to-air capabilities against the present drone threat markedly. Nevertheless, there are most likely significant limits on what Washington will prove willing to provide. Alex Almeida, a security analyst at the energy consultancy Horizon Engage, doubts that high-end systems with anti-ballistic capabilities, such as the Patriot, will be on offer. Ditto for the NASAMS, a medium-range system that fires AIM-120 missiles. Almeida notes that Iraq will likely oppose any provision of such systems. Additionally, these systems are presently in high demand and short supply worldwide, especially the Patriots. The C-RAM destroys incoming rocket and drone threats like the ones Iraqi Kurdistan has intermittently faced throughout the past five years by firing its 20 mm high-explosive incendiary tracer, self-destruction, HEIT-SD, rounds in rapid succession. Almeida doubts Erbil will acquire any of these either. 'It's a fairly complex system that's only been exported to a limited number of countries,' he told me. 'The U.S. has also been hesitant about using the C-RAM systems it has in place at Erbil due to the airport's proximity to built-up areas, including numerous high-rise towers.' 'The Iraqi government has also been very sensitive about U.S. transfers of heavier weapons like large-caliber artillery to the KRG.' Iraqi officials strongly criticized a U.S. transfer of lightweight 105 mm M119 howitzers to Erbil for use by the Peshmerga in August 2024, with some calling for confiscating these weapons, underscoring Baghdad's sensitivities to Kurdish forces possessing even basic weapons. A more cost-effective provision for the U.S. may come in the form of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, or APKWS. The APKWS is an unguided Hydra 70 rocket converted into a precision-guided munition using a laser-guidance kit. It costs a little over $20,000 per unit and has proven effective against the types of drones continuously harassing Iraqi Kurdistan. The U.S. has adopted an air-to-air version for F-16 fighter jets and even the A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft, as it is a fraction of the cost of countering drones compared to traditional air-to-air missiles. Saudi Arabia, which has also faced Iran-backed drone threats, recently ordered them for its air force. The APKWS could give Iraqi Kurdistan an independent and cost-effective solution against drone threats and may not provoke as strong a reaction from Baghdad as the transfer of more advanced systems undoubtedly would. 'Something like the ground-based APKWS that's a more basic and rugged system, or the Coyote counter-drone missile, is a more realistic option and would probably be equally effective and more suitable for use near urban environments,' Almeida said. 'Those combined with electronic jammers and hand-held systems are probably a better bet and would be sufficient to handle the militia drone threat to Iraqi Kurdistan.'
Shafaq News
14-07-2025
- Shafaq News
Explosive-laden drone downed near Erbil Airport
Shafaq News – Erbil A booby-trapped drone was downed near Erbil International Airport with no reported casualties or damage, the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) in the Kurdistan Region confirmed on Monday. Local sources and eyewitnesses had earlier reported multiple explosions near the airport and the activation of warning sirens inside the US consulate compound. According to the sources, the consulate's C-RAM (Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) defense system and other aerial defenses deployed around the airport responded to an unidentified flying object seen approaching the area. The system reportedly succeeded in intercepting and destroying the drone midair. As of this report, neither the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) nor the US-led Global Coalition has issued an official statement identifying the origin or nature of the drone. similar attacks involving drones and rockets.
Iraqi News
14-07-2025
- Iraqi News
US air defenses at Erbil Airport shoot down a hostile drone
Erbil ( – Loud explosions were heard near Erbil International Airport at dawn on Monday (July 14, 2025), as U.S. air defense systems intercepted and shot down an unknown flying object, according to local sources and eyewitnesses. At approximately 2:30 AM, sirens were activated from within the U.S. Consulate compound, followed by the distinctive sound of the C-RAM air defense system firing. Sources confirmed that the system successfully engaged and neutralized a hostile flying object over the area. Northern regionsecurity forces immediately rushed to the scene and established a security cordon around the airport and its vicinity. An investigation is underway to determine the nature and origin of the object. Despite the incident, airport operations were not affected. The Director of Erbil International Airport confirmed to local media that all flight schedules remain unchanged and that technical crews are operating as usual. No official statement has yet been issued by the Kurdistan Regional Government or the International Coalition. The airport has been targeted by similar drone or rocket attacks in the past.
India.com
26-05-2025
- India.com
Operation Sindoor: Key Lessons India Must Learn To Tackle Modern Warfare Threats
New Delhi: The successful Operation Sindoor serves important lessons – which India can learn – especially with regard to the evolving nature of warfare and defense systems. One of the important lessons the military offensive gave is the changing nature battlefield. It exposed that traditional defense systems are vulnerable to drone attacks. Increasing reliance on drones for intelligence gathering, surveillance and precision strikes shows the dynamics of modern warfare seems to have changed in recent years. This trend became apparent during the operation, where Pakistan tried to heavily use drones to bypass India's advanced defense systems. Most notably during the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, the world witnessed the increasing role of drones in modern warfare. Operation Sindoor too mirrored the same trend, as drones posed a unique challenge – especially when deployed at low altitudes or in swarms. Drones proved to be effective and difficult-to-counter weapon despite India's formidable defense systems like Akashteer and S-400 air defense systems. It highlights gaps in existing technologies. Limitations of S-400 System Considered one of the world's most advanced air defense systems, India's S-400 successfully neutralised numerous high-altitude threats – including Pakistan's F-16 and J-17 fighter jets. The S-400 is, however, not designed to neutralize low-altitude and smaller aerial threats like drones. This gap became stark as Pakistan launched hundreds of drone attacks during the recent conflict. While India's brave soldiers managed to bring down several drones using air defense guns, the challenge remains – traditional defense systems are not equipped to deal with drones effectively. This vulnerability became clear after a 2021 incident when a Pakistani drone attacked Jammu Air Force Station by dropping an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on the airport. Though the attack resulted into no significant damage, it served as a stark reminder of the emerging threats posed by drone technology. Need for a Counter-RAM System In view of the growing threat posed by low-flying missiles and drones, experts say that India must increasingly develop Mortar (C-RAM), artillery and counter-rocket systems in order to protect its critical military infrastructure. Much like Israel's Iron Dome, a C-RAM system is specifically designed to counter threats – which come at high speed and from low altitudes. The C-RAM systems use rapid-fire weapons to neutralise incoming projectiles – including drones, in real time, before they can inflict damage. Several countries across world, including Israel and the United States, have effectively deployed such systems. For instance, the Iron Dome has been instrumental in finding and destroying rockets fired by Hamas. It provided an example of how C-RAM systems can effectively shield civilian and military targets from modern threats. Adaptation of Future Conflicts Operation Sindoor has demonstrated that though India's defense capabilities are formidable, modern warfare requires constant adaptation to new technologies and emerging threats. The use of drones by Pakistan showed that high-impact and low-cost weapons can bypass traditional defense systems. It was once considered invulnerable. India – with an aim to stay ahead of evolving threats – must enhance its ability to respond to aerial threats at all altitudes and develop countermeasures such as C-RAM systems. The operation's experience highlights a crucial point: in an era of rapidly changing warfare, defense strategies must evolve with technological advancements. The lessons learned from this operation are invaluable as India prepares for future challenges on its borders. The ability to anticipate and counter emerging threats like drones will define the success of future military operations.
India.com
26-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
What is C-RAM system and why India wants to deploy it? Operation Sindoor revealed..., even though S-400...
(File) New Delhi: In response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India launched 'Operation Sindoor', which was very successful. However, this operation also revealed that India needs to prepare further to deal with drone attacks. While India inflicted significant damage on Pakistan's military and terrorist infrastructure, the use of drones by Pakistan during the operation exposed the limitations of our aerial security. Therefore, experts say that India needs a C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) system. This system will prove to be quite helpful in dealing with aerial threats like drones. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor began on May 6-7 in which India destroyed 9 terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Following this, Pakistan began attempts to target Indian military and residential areas. India thwarted the Pakistani attacks and destroyed 11 of its airbases in retaliation. India used BrahMos and Akash missiles during this period. Meanwhile, Pakistan's F-18 and J-17 fighter jets were also destroyed. On May 10, India agreed to a ceasefire request from Pakistan after four days. Need for new drone defense systems There is no doubt that India's missile defense system has successfully thwarted Pakistani attacks. During 'Operation Sindoor,' Pakistan attempted to target us with hundreds of drones made in China and Turkey. Defense experts believe that Pakistan's relentless drone attacks have exposed the limits of our air defense. India possesses air defense systems like the S-400, purchased from Russia, which is considered one of the best air defense systems in the world. Additionally, India has its Akash air defense system and other protective measures that performed excellently during Operation Sindoor. However, defense experts feel that all these air defense systems are primarily designed to defend against attacks from missiles, fighter jets, and rockets, and they are effective in preventing such attacks. Yet, there is a need for something else to defend against low-altitude drone attacks. C-RAM system India has an urgent need to develop a C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar) system to deal with low-altitude aerial threats. Such systems would further enhance the security of military bases along the border. The report states that during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan launched missiles manufactured in China. The S-400 system successfully intercepted them. However, it faced difficulties in detecting and destroying small drones. Pakistan used drones made in Turkey and China which were neutralised by the Indian Armed Forces with air defense guns. C-RAM systems are designed to destroy low-altitude threats such as rockets, artillery shells, mortars, and drones, similar to the U.S. Phalanx or Israeli Iron Dome.
