Denmark Sends Harpoon Missiles to Ukraine - Which Variant?

Which harpoon missile variant has Denmark sent to Ukraine and what's it's range?Show more

A little video here since there is talk that Ukraine has received its first Harpoon missiles from Denmark. Denmark is I think the onlky country to have operated a ground-launched Harpoon, from the 1990s to 2003. A ground-launched variant, or a naval variant that can be adapted to ground launchers is what Ukraine needs since Ukrainian doesn’t have any sea-based platforms or air platforms that can launch Harpoon.

So, the big question on everyone’s mind—which variant has Ukraine received? Well, Denmark fired their harpoons from a a truck mounted platform. This platform was configured to fire first-generation Block 1 RGM-84A Harpoons. This had a range of 139km. So, unfortunately it isn’t the longer ranged one. But, 139KM is still quite good to target a signifcant portion of the Black Sea—as seen here. We don’t know how many launchers Denmark is sending. But it’s possible a number of batteries could be situated along the coast. It helps that they are mobile platforms, so can move to different places as and when needed.

Now, this image shows areas of key Russian Naval activty. Danish harpoons based in Odesa and along the western coast, do have the potential to strike key areas of operations. Harpoons in Odesa itself won’t reach Snake Island, but, as I said, its a mobile platform. They can be moved along the coast, bringing Snake Island in range. They would also cover the green, northernmost area of Russia activty and, possibly—depending on postion—the area of heavy activty in the center. However, the Block 1 harpoons won’t reach the Crimean Coast.

It is possible of course that longer range Harpoons may be sent, but that depends on them being compatible with the Danish launchers.