Two NASAMS Surface-to-air Missile Batteries in U.S. $820 Million Security Assistance for Ukraine

The United States has for the first time provided NASAMS Surface-to-air missile batteries to Ukraine that have the potential to end Russia’s dominance of the skies.

The NASAMS, the product of a joint venture between Raytheon and Kongsberg have been deployed to protect Washington D.C. among other cities. They have been designed to track and shoot down aircraft such as the Su-35 and ballistic and cruise missiles.

Also read: Will NASAMS Air Defense System Contain Russian Missiles Raining on Ukraine?

The $820 million security assistance to Ukraine was announced Friday. It includes an authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $50 million, as well as $770 million in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds. Kyiv will also get additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), up to 150,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition; and four additional counter-artillery radars.

Unlike Presidential Drawdown, USAI is an authority under which the United States procures capabilities from industry rather than delivering equipment that is drawn down from DoD stocks.

The United States has now committed approximately $7.6 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration, including approximately $6.9 billion since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked invasion on February 24. Since 2014, the United States has committed more than $8.8 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.