Ukraine's 1039th Regiment has released footage showing the combat operations of French-made Crotale short-range air defense system. The video was published on the regiment's official Facebook page.
The footage shows the Crotale system moving, its launcher loaded with missiles, and the operation of its guidance system. It also includes combat launches and footage of aerial targets being hit.
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The regiment emphasized the importance of its personnel's training and combat experience in engaging airborne threats.
"There is no room for coincidence in this fight, only cold calculation, an instant reaction, high professionalism, and skills forged through combat experience," the unit stated.
The Crotale is a French short-range surface-to-air missile system designed to engage various airborne targets. Its name translates from French as “rattlesnake”. The system is intended to provide protection against threats operating at low altitudes, including aircraft and helicopters.
The newer Crotale NG (Nouvelle Génération) variant combines radar and electro-optical sensors to detect and track aerial targets. This combination allows the system to use different sensing methods during target engagement.
The Crotale NG launcher carries eight ready-to-fire VT1 missiles, with four mounted on each side. The system can engage a range of aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles, aircraft, helicopters, and other low-flying targets.
VT1 missile has a reported interception range of more than 11 km. This makes the system suitable for short-range air defense, particularly against threats approaching protected facilities or operating within its engagement envelope.
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