BRIDGING THE VSHORAD GAP THROUGH MOBILE FIRE GROUPS INTEGRATION WITHIN THE LAND FORCES’ AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE FRAMEWORK
BRIDGING THE VSHORAD GAP THROUGH MOBILE FIRE GROUPS INTEGRATION WITHIN THE LAND FORCES’ AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE FRAMEWORK

Author(s): Daniel ROMAN, Ionuț TOMA
Subject(s): Security and defense, Military Sciences
Published by: Carol I National Defence University Publishing House
Keywords: air and missile defense; VSHORAD; mobile fire groups; loitering munitions; asymmetric attrition; Land Forces.
Summary/Abstract: The proliferation of low-cost loitering munitions and small-scale unmanned aerial systems has necessitated a paradigm shift in air defense architectures, prompting a transition from centralized, missile-heavy configurations to distributed, kinetic-based networks. This article analyzes the strategic and tactical integration of Mobile Fire Groups (MFGs) as a cost-effective solution to the systemic Very Short-Range Air Defense (VSHORAD) gap currently observed on NATO’s Eastern Flank. By evaluating the operational effectiveness of decentralized sensor-effector loops – combining passive acoustic detection with high-mobility firing platforms – this research outlines a framework for the Land Forces to establish a resilient "shield" to protect both populated areas and critical infrastructure. The article highlights the technical imperative for networked situational awareness and the digital modernization of legacy assets to achieve a favorable cost-exchange ratio against massed incursions. Ultimately, the operationalization of these agile units preserves operational-strategic interceptor inventories while providing a scalable, persistent defense layer that addresses the hydrographic and topographic challenges of the Black Sea region.

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