The Economist explains

What are HARM, the air-to-surface missiles destroying Russian air-defence radar?

America’s supply of the powerful weapons to Ukraine has given its air force a telling advantage

This US Navy photo released 01 April 2003 shows a High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM)that is positioned on an F/A-18C Hornet during night flight operations 31 March 2003,aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), in the Gulf. The HARM missile was first deployed aboard Kitty Hawk in January 1984. Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) are conducting combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. AFP PHOTO/US NAVY/Todd FRANTOM (Photo by TODD FRANTOM / US NAVY / AFP)

ON AUGUST 19TH a senior Pentagon official confirmed what had previously only been hinted at: America is supplying Ukraine with High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM). The missiles have been playing an important role in Ukraine’s spectacular offensive in Kharkiv province, as well as a separate attack in the south. Launched from an aircraft, HARM homes in on and destroys air-defence radar. The missiles represent a serious challenge to Russia. Even if not fired, the threat they pose can force radar operators to turn off their sets and lie low. Ukraine’s air force, as a result, may not quite fly with impunity, but it has greater freedom than before.

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