Pentagon Lines up Eight NASAMS Air Defense Systems for Ukraine

The Pentagon is planning to deliver eight National Advanced Surface to Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) to Ukraine to help protect the country’s airspace from Russian missiles.

When asked about an update regarding the supply of NASAMS systems to Kyiv, Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, said, “We have two (NASAMS systems) that should be delivered in the near future -- I don't have an exact date for you on that -- but in the near future.”

She added that the U.S. is “working on getting six remaining NASAMS systems to Ukraine.”

It remains unclear how the NASAMS heading to Kyiv will be configured. A number of different versions of the air defense system exists, made up of different combinations of launchers, radars and other sensors, and command and control nodes. Some NASAMS variants can incorporate missile launchers mounted on Humvees or other light vehicles. Tests have also been conducted of the HIMARS vehicle as a launch platform for the AIM-120 AMRAAM, which could be utilized with NASAMS. Ukraine has so far received 20 HIMARS systems.

NASAMS can fire versions of the radar-guided AMRAAM, including a new extended range derivative optimized for use in the ground-launched roles, as well as the AIM-9X Sidewinder heat-seeking missile, and more.

The system meant for Ukraine is most likely to be an earlier variant that will be especially useful for providing area air defense around key locales with batteries spread out to cover a relatively large area, such as a city or town.