MIM-104 Patriot vs S-300PS: how to tell them apart

Two air defence systems that are easy to mix up at a glance. Here is what tells them apart.

MIM-104 Patriot

Air defence system, USA. In service since 1984

What gives it away

Trailer-mounted launcher tilted up at an angle, holding four large rectangular canisters.

Used by

USA, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine, Japan, Sweden and others

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S-300PS

Air defence system, Soviet Union. In service since 1985

What gives it away

Large eight-wheeled truck carrying four tall cylindrical canisters raised upright to fire.

Used by

Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and others

MIM-104 Patriot · S-300PS · All guides