United States delivers to Ukraine two NASAMS air defense missile systems.

On November 8, 2022, the Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder announced that two National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) have been delivered to Ukraine by the United States.
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Raytheon Technologies contractors set up and functions check a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile launcher in support of Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) Onramp 2 at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, on Aug. 26, 2020. (Picture source U.S. DoD)

Previously, the United States Defense Department had indicated it would provide the advanced air-defense systems in July 2022.

The Ukrainian armed forces have requested these systems to increase Ukraine's air defense capabilities and to provide protection for the Ukrainian people against Russian aerial attacks including those conducted by unmanned, aerial vehicles or cruise missiles.

The United States continues to have an ongoing and robust dialogue with the Ukrainians, with our allies, and with our partners in terms of what Ukraine's battlefield needs are.

The NASAMS is a medium-range air defense system designed and developed jointly by Raytheon from the United States and the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

The NASAMS is designed to identify, engage, and destroy fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It is designed to protect high-value assets and population centers against air-to-surface threats. The system can engage 72 targets simultaneously in active and passive modes and, using active seeker missiles, can intercept targets beyond visual range. The NASAMS is armed with three launchers, each carrying up to six missiles.

The latest generation of NASAMS air defense system is able to fire AIM-9 Sidewinder and IRIS-T SLS short-range missiles at a maximum firing range of 25 km and AMRAAM-ER extended-range missiles at a range of 50 km.

A NASAMS battery consists of three primary components including the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar, the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), and the Fire Distribution Center (FDC). The Sentinel Radar can detect UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), cruise missiles, and fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. It features an X-Band, 360-degree phased array air defense radar with a 75 km range to identify targets.