Ukraine will soon receive a new air defense system directly from the United States. The NASAMS system developed by the US and Norway could soon be in a package for Ukraine, according to government sources who revealed to CNN this information.
The transfer of this system will be announced later this week, according to the sources, and will have the function of strengthening Ukraine's defense against air attacks carried out by Russia. For now there are no details available on when exactly the new air defense systems will be delivered.
The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS, is used by the United States in the air defense of Washington DC, the country's capital and home of the president.
Due to NASAMS differences, the Ukrainian military will need retraining before system operation begins. Normally, the US does this type of training, when short-term, in countries allied to NATO.
In operation since 2007, NASAMS is a ground-to-air, medium-range, very high-precision air defense system. The LINK 16 communication, used by US Air Force aircraft, is compatible with the system, allowing it to be commanded remotely, without an operator on the ground.
Its maximum range is up to 35 km, depending on the missile used in the equipment. It is compatible, in its latest version, with the AMRAAM-ER, AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.
Due to its range, the NASAMS fits for use at intermediate distances, between an S-300 and man-portable systems, known as MANPADS, which typically reach targets at ranges of up to 30 km.
The US is considering supplying the Patriot SAM system to Ukraine, which provides greater range and can replace the old ones. Soviet period S-300, many of which have been destroyed by the Russians since the start of the conflict in February 2022.
