Norway Delivers Additional NASAMS Air Defense Missiles to Ukraine as Russian Strikes Intensify.

Norway confirmed the delivery of a new batch of air defense missiles to Ukraine on January 22, 2026, to replenish NASAMS systems already protecting key regions. The move strengthens Ukraine’s ability to shield civilians and critical infrastructure as Russian drone and missile attacks intensify during extreme winter conditions.

The Norwegian government announced on January 22, 2026, that it has transferred an additional consignment of NASAMS missiles to Ukraine, reinforcing the country’s existing NASAMS air defense systems coverage at a moment of acute operational pressure. According to Norwegian officials, the delivery is intended to sustain frontline air defense units as Russian forces continue a coordinated campaign of drone and missile strikes against Ukraine’s energy grid, attacks that have left multiple cities without heat or electricity while temperatures fall to -15° Celsius.
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An AIM-120 AMRAAM missile is loaded onto a NASAMS launcher unit during a NATO air defense readiness exercise. The system is designed for rapid engagement of aerial threats, including cruise missiles, drones, and aircraft, using networked radar and precision-guided interceptors. (Picture source: Norway MoD)

The Norwegian-developed NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System), co-produced by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Raytheon, is a ground-based air defense system designed to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones at medium range. It employs radar-guided AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, housed in launchers and directed via a distributed network of sensors and command units. Initially deployed by the United States and several NATO nations, NASAMS can track multiple targets and engage them simultaneously, forming a core part of Ukraine’s layered air defense, protecting cities and military assets.

The NASAMS air defense missile system is built on a distributed, networked architecture that integrates multiple sensors, launchers, and command-and-control units into a unified air defense shield. The system typically uses the AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel radar, though it can be adapted to other NATO-standard radars. Its primary interceptor, the AIM-120 AMRAAM, offers engagement ranges of up to 25–30 km against fast-moving aerial threats, with a high success rate against cruise missiles, drones, and fixed-wing aircraft. NASAMS can also fire the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile for short-range engagements, and, in more advanced configurations, it can launch a range of other interceptors, including the AMRAAM-ER (Extended Range), which significantly extends the engagement envelope to more than 40 km. Additionally, it can integrate and launch IRIS-T SLS short-range missiles or indigenous variants when tailored to specific user requirements.

Ukraine has so far received at least five NASAMS batteries: two from the United States in 2022, one jointly funded by Norway and the U.S., one from Canada in 2023, and one from Lithuania in 2025. Each system was delivered through coalition arrangements and refurbishment efforts to optimize operational use.

In total, these five systems have been positioned to provide coverage across priority sites, protecting Kyiv, Kharkiv, and major energy hubs. Their strategic distribution maximizes defense against diverse aerial threats launched by Russian forces. Their latest missile delivery was described by Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik as an urgent, coordinated effort with the United States and allies to maintain Ukraine's air denial capability as Russia intensifies strikes on infrastructure. Ukrainian commanders had warned of missile shortages, prompting quick partner resupply to prevent a gap in air defense coverage.

Ukrainian defense forces use NASAMS to shield key nodes in cities facing escalating Russian missile attacks. In December and January, the Ukrainian Air Force reported dozens of successful intercepts using NASAMS, often in coordination with German IRIS-T and Soviet S-300 systems. Norway’s support helps keep interception rates sustainable under ongoing combat pressure.AMS architecture has proven highly adaptable in Ukraine’s battle conditions. Using dispersed radar and launcher units linked via secure data networks, the system provides flexible coverage and can be repositioned as threat vectors shift. Ukrainian crews, trained in part by Norwegian and U.S. instructors, have integrated these systems into a broader air defense mosaic that now includes everything from man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to Patriot long-range systems supplied by the U.S.

In addition to Norway, countries such as Canada, Lithuania, and the United States have played key roles in supplying Ukraine with both NASAMS systems and accompanying munitions. The continued resupply of these missiles remains a vital element in Ukraine’s capacity to withstand Russia’s winter air campaign, which appears aimed not at battlefield gains, but at breaking civilian morale and crippling national infrastructure.

Norway's decision also signals a broader shift among NATO allies toward sustaining long-term air defense operations in Ukraine rather than one-time donations. With Russian forces adapting their aerial tactics, including swarming drone attacks launched in the early hours to exhaust Ukrainian interceptor stocks, the ability to rapidly replenish missile supplies will define the operational success of Ukraine’s defensive posture in 2026.

While Ukrainian forces remain heavily outgunned in terms of total missile inventory, platforms like NASAMS have allowed the country to punch well above its weight in defending against aerial threats. The Norwegian resupply, though discreet in detail, could prove decisive in blunting Russia’s attempt to turn winter into a weapon.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.