According to The Times of Israel, US President Joe Biden is set to announce that the US is providing an advanced surface-to-air missile system to Ukraine, as well as additional artillery support, according to a person familiar with the matter, in the latest assistance meant to help the country defend against Russia’s four-month invasion.
The US is purchasing NASAMS, a Norwegian-developed anti-aircraft system, to provide medium- to long-range defense to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. NASAMS is the same system used by the United States to protect the sensitive airspace around the White House and US Capital in Washington.
Additional aid includes more ammunition for Ukrainian artillery guns, as well as counter-battery radars, to support its efforts against the Russian attack in the Donbas, the person said.
According to another report by the Army Recognition, recently on June 24, 2022, the United States Department of Defense announced a new military aid for Ukraine with the delivery of 18 coastal and riverine patrol boats.
In addition to the coastal and riverine patrol boats, the latest presidential drawdown authority security assistance package to Ukraine includes four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS; 36,000 rounds of 105 mm ammunition; 18 tactical vehicles to move 155 mm artillery; 1,200 Mk 19 grenade launchers; and 2,000 machine guns.
About the NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) medium to long-range air defense missile system
NASAMS is a medium to long-range air defense missile system designed and manufactured by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace teamed up with Raytheon from the United States for the missile. Since the introduction in Norway in 2015, another four countries in NATO and the EU have acquired NASAMS.
A standard NASAMS unit has a modular design including a command post called FDC Fire Distribution Center, an active 3D radar AN/MPQ64F1 Sentinel, a passive electro-optic and infra-red sensor, and a number of missile canister launchers with AMRAAM missiles. Usually, four NASAMS units are connected in a battalion network.
The missile of the NASAMS can engage 72 targets simultaneously in active and passive modes. The primary missile of the system is AIM-120 AMRAAM. The missile is able to hit targets at a range of up to 40 km and at an altitude of up to 14 km.