The American magazine The National Interest has highlighted a new capability of Ukraine’s fighter fleet. Analyst Maya Carlin noted that the integration of ADM-160 MALD (Miniature Air Launched Decoy) systems onto Su-27 and MiG-29 aircraft has significantly strengthened their performance in the skies.

According to her assessment, the addition of these decoy systems has given Ukrainian fighters an advantage over Russian forces. The MALD, described as a hybrid between a missile and a drone, is launched from the aircraft and functions as a false target. By confusing enemy air defenses, it allows the real jets to operate under cover.

Each decoy weighs about 115 kilograms and can travel more than 900 kilometers. The system is mounted on the fighters’ pylons, enabling its deployment on both the Su-27 and MiG-29 platforms.