This allows it to acquire and launch its SAMs against distant aircraft without having to expose the launcher's position (electronically).

Instead, the AN/MPQ-105 remotely provides the Defender with an active radar. This is because aside from data link capability, the Defender does not have any sensors by itself. It can be 'controlled' with a UAV Terminal, and is always paired alongside unarmed AN/MPQ-105 radar sites which are designed to work in tandem with the launcher. A single missile from the Defender is always enough to critically damage, if not outright destroy, any fixed/rotary-wing aircraft.Įvery individual battery has four launch tubes which each contain a single radar-guided, surface-to-air missile, combined for a total of four missiles per launcher. Primarily employed to defend NATO installations from air attacks, the Defender provides superior AA coverage compared to the smaller (but mobile) IFV-6a Cheetah.

The Defender is a long-range, all-altitude, and all-weather air defence system used to counter enemy aircraft. 8.1 Heavy AA systems of comparable role and configuration.