The “Three Fingers of Death” are on tour in Ukraine. We’re not talking about the surviving members of the world’s most brutal band – Dethklok. No, these “Fingers” belong to an air defense system designed by the Soviets, upgraded by the Czechs, and now on the hunt to poke Russians in Ukraine.
Back in May, Petr Pavel, the president of the Czech Republic, promised Ukraine two batteries’ worth of the launchers, officially designated 2K12M2 Kub-M2.
A recently posted image shows the Kub-M2 finally in service in Ukraine. The launcher is based on a Soviet design from 1958. At the time, the U.S.S.R. wanted an air defense system for low and medium-altitude threats. The end result was a tracked vehicle that fires three rather large 3M9 surface-to-air missiles. A Kub battery typically includes four launchers, a radar vehicle and two trucks carrying spare missiles. After launching its payload, a Kub is reloaded by crane in about 15 minutes.
According to Popular Mechanics, Kub launchers underwent multiple upgrades over the years to stay relevant, and their mobility gives them an edge over other static air defense systems.
Russia sends a steady supply of cruise missiles and drones against Ukrainian targets, and most of Ukraine’s air defense systems are tied up protecting civilian populations. Since the Kubs can move, they can follow advancing troops at the frontlines using their “fingers” to swat at Russian drones, cruise missiles and of course helicopters and jet fighters.
There’s no getting around the fact the Kub launchers are dated. But if you take care of your weapons system, your weapons system will take care of you.
The Kub-M2 launchers donated by the Czechs were upgraded by RETIA. Not only did the Kubs get general improvements to its body and cabling systems, the Czech-based company upgraded the communication system as well to be compatible with NATO standards. The new Kubs also come with added creature comforts like air conditioning.
RETIA made its mark in radars though, so of course they spent time upgrading the outdated Kub radar system. With the Czechs bringing the Kub into the digital age with improved radar and tracking systems, the aging stockpiles of 3M9 missiles collecting dust in European warehouses can keep flying for a while longer.
If, for whatever reason, Ukraine runs out of 3M9 surface-to-air missiles, all is not lost. The Czechs already test fired Western-made missiles from modified Kub launchers. With some modifications here and there, Ukraine could use U.S.-supplied Sparrow missiles to give Russia the finger, or three fingers, of death.
