- Ukraine’s Central Air Command confirmed the deployment of U.S.-made Tempest missile-armed buggies equipped with Hellfire missiles for mobile air-defense missions.
- The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Tempest crews have already shot down 21 Russian Shahed drones and are operating the systems across multiple sectors.
The Ukrainian Air Force’s Central Air Command confirmed on January 13 that Ukraine has fielded newly delivered U.S.-made Tempest missile-armed buggies produced by V2X, marking the first verified deployment of the mobile air-defense platform in active operations.
According to a statement from Central Air Command, the Tempest system was introduced to address “modern challenges and threats,” adding that the platform is designed for units where “decisions are made in seconds” and where mobility and rapid reaction determine survival. The command reported that Tempest crews have already downed 21 Russian Shahed-type drones during recent combat activity.
As noted by the service, the Tempest is intended for fast, low-profile missions in contested environments and is engineered for quick relocation after engagements to avoid counterfire. The command described the vehicle as “maximally mobile, fast in deployment, and lethal against enemy targets,” emphasizing its role in forming a new generation of mobile air-defense units across Ukraine’s operational sectors.
According to information released by V2X, the Tempest platform is equipped with two AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and a compact all-weather tactical radar system. The radar architecture supports air-surveillance functions, hostile-fire detection, and tracking of Class 2 and Class 3 unmanned aerial systems. V2X said the sensor suite allows the platform to perform overlapping mission types sequentially or concurrently, depending on tasking requirements.
The Air Force said Tempest crews are trained to operate under time-compressed conditions that require “precise and rational neutralization of enemy targets.” The command added that mobile air-defense elements have expanded along the entire responsibility zone, with emphasis on flexibility, movement, and fire discipline.
The Tempest system is configured to detect, track, and defeat drones in adverse weather and low-visibility conditions. The Air Force noted that survivability is tied directly to the vehicle’s ability to reposition immediately after launch, reducing exposure to Russian artillery and loitering munitions frequently used to target Ukrainian air-defense assets.
Central Air Command said the platform’s performance during recent engagements demonstrates its value in intercepting low-flying explosive drones that Russia continues to launch against civilian areas and critical infrastructure across Ukraine. The command stated that every downed drone “means saved families” and described the platform’s results as steady, continuous work carried out around the clock by personnel in the field.
V2X previously described Tempest as purpose-built for mobile force protection and rapid UAS-interception missions. The system’s low silhouette, high acceleration, and small logistical footprint allow deployment in dispersed formations and along front-line mobility corridors where traditional air-defense assets cannot easily maneuver. The Hellfire missile loadout provides a hard-kill option against larger or more durable threats that exceed the engagement capability of small-caliber systems.
The deployment comes amid an increased tempo of Russian drone activity during winter months, when Moscow has sought to exploit poor weather and decreased visibility to stress Ukrainian air defenses. Ukrainian commanders have emphasized the need for mobile platforms capable of reacting quickly and relocating before being targeted.
While Ukraine employs a broad mix of air-defense systems—including Western missile batteries, anti-drone electronic-warfare complexes, and improvised mobile units—the fielding of Tempest offers an additional tool for countering continuous drone attacks launched from Russian territory and occupied areas.