In response to the escalating situation in Ukraine, the United States has announced that it will be rushing the delivery of eight National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS).
The air defense systems are expected to arrive within the next few weeks and protect the Ukrainian civilians from the Russian missiles.
This move is intended to bolster Ukraine’s defenses and help deter Russian aggression as the war drags on.
Only two NASAMS will arrive soon
White House: The West expects to deliver the first two NASAMS air defense systems to Kyiv in the very near future. pic.twitter.com/O6noPZ0zjT
— Firam (@firamnews) October 11, 2022
The NASAMS is a missile system used by the US and several other operators, such as Spain, Oman, Chile, Finland, and Norway, among others.
The system is designed to defend against aircraft, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It consists of a network of radar and tracking systems, as well as missile launchers that can be deployed on land or sea.
This is just the latest in a series of actions taken by the United States to support Ukraine’s defense. Actually, the US has already provided training, equipment, and advisory support to Ukrainian forces.
Now, the delivery of these air defense systems is a significant step towards bolstering Ukraine’s defenses against more Russian aggressions. It also sends a clear message that the United States stands with Ukraine and will continue to support them.
However, only two NASAMS will be sent in the short term – and they won’t be enough as they will cover a range of 30 to 120 kilometers (19 to 75 miles).
In any case, they will be extremely helpful while the remaining shipment arrives.
The latest shipments included other systems such as HIMARS or IRIS-T SLM
The US and NATO allies have been providing military aid to Ukraine since the war broke out – and recently, they sent four more High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).
The HIMARS is a mobile rocket launcher that can be used to fire a variety of missiles, including surface-to-surface and anti-tank missiles. It is equipped with a laser guidance system, making it more accurate than traditional rocket launchers.
And it has been a key weapon for Ukraine since it has pushed Russia back and forced them to abandon various cities.
Therefore, with HIMARS and NASAMS, Ukraine will substantially increase its attacking and defending capabilities with relatively modern weapons to counter Russia.
Moreover, the last air defense system Ukraine received was the German IRIS-T SLM. It is designed to protect against a wide range of airborne threats, including aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles.
Ukraine has received IRIS-T from Germany and will soon receive NASAMS from the USA, acc. to Minister of Defence. #ArmUkraineNow, it’s the only way to stop this war. pic.twitter.com/m4ZbAxoIiz
— Stratcom Centre UA (@StratcomCentre) October 12, 2022
This surface-to-air defensive system would protect cities and their population from incoming missiles. It uses onboard radar to track and intercept targets. This makes it incredibly effective in both daytime and nighttime conditions.
With these weapons, Ukraine should have a better ability to withstand this new stage of the war – and effectively protect itself from further attacks.
The war is becoming increasingly brutal… And more specialized weapons are being deployed
With the arrival of more HIMARS and NASAMS, in addition to the IRIS-T-SLMs, the war escalates to a new level where weapons have greater range and unmatched destructive power.
In the meantime, it remains to be seen how Russia will respond to this move. The conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, and the delivery of these air defense systems could potentially raise tensions even further… Only time will tell how the situation will unfold.
Featured image credit: Nasams launcher vliegbasis valkenburg NSS by Ministerie van Defensie. Public Domain.
