The US Army signed a $1,2 billion contract with defense giant Raytheon. The organization is acquiring six batteries of the anti-aircraft missile system NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System), which will later be transferred to Ukraine.
The contract, disclosed by the Pentagon on Wednesday (30), is part of the fifth package of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). According to the Army, training, services and spare parts are also included. The amount will be included in USAI's budget for Fiscal Year 2023 and the equipment must be delivered by 2025.
The contract signed this week is a continuation of another $820 million deal signed in August, under the third USAI package and covering the supply of two NASAMS launchers to Ukraine.
Those first batteries of missiles have already been delivered and have met with great success in combat, according to US and Ukrainian officials. According to the Army, the NASAMS installed in Ukraine “Successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of the systems against the threats.”
The contract announcement comes a day after the Pentagon said it was working alongside its allies to provide Kiev with improved air defense capabilities. In note, the US Department of Defense has sharply criticized Russia's attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure at a time when winter in the northern hemisphere becomes increasingly severe.
“These [air strikes] are horrible attacks to punish the Ukrainian people,” said an official quoted by the Pentagon. “As winter approaches, they serve no legitimate military purpose.”
Ukraine is rationing what power it still has this winter as Russia's forces target energy infrastructure across the country.
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NASAMS is a short-medium range anti-aircraft system developed in the 1990s by Raytheon and the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace. NASAMS has as interceptors the AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, most famous for their use in fighter aircraft. The system is highlighted for being used to defend the capital of the United States, Washington, from possible air threats.
According to the Pentagon, thousands of Stinger air defense systems and two NASAMS batteries have already been sent to Ukraine by the United States and more will be delivered as they are being built. In addition, US allies and partners have already committed to sending AMRAAM missiles to arm NASAMS.
The United States also sent Avenger air defense systems to Kiev. These systems can be used against a variety of targets, including drones. The newest aid package from the US includes 150 heavy machine guns with thermal sights to help take down unmanned aerial systems (drones).
are also included AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles, 150 Humvee jeeps, more than 100 light tactical vehicles as well as cold-weather clothing and equipment. The US has so far given more than $19 billion to Ukraine.
