Norway Agrees to Provide Ukraine With Additional NASAMS Air Defense Missile Systems.

December 13, 2023 – Norway has announced plans to bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities by providing additional NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) units. This initiative, as reported by the Norway Ministry of Defense, involves supplying Ukraine with extra missile systems sourced directly from the Norwegian army's inventory.
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Missile launcher station of NASAMS battery. (Picture source Norway MoD)

The new NASAMS military aid package is set to be delivered in two phases. The initial consignment, comprising equipment currently held by the Norwegian Armed Forces, is expected to be dispatched soon. However, specific details regarding the types and quantities of the systems in this batch remain undisclosed. Following this, a second shipment will include eight launchers and four control stations directly from the manufacturer.

This move adds to the substantial support Ukraine has already received from various nations in bolstering its air defense. Past contributions include a battery from Canada, two launcher stations from Lithuania, an undisclosed number of missiles from the Netherlands, and significant aid from Norway and the United States. Specifically, Norway previously supplied two firing units in November 2022, along with two Fire Distribution Centers, two launchers, and spare parts in July 2023. The United States has contributed eight batteries to Ukraine's defense efforts.

The NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) has been a crucial part of Ukraine's defense, especially in repelling airborne attacks. This air defense system, developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in cooperation with the US company Raytheon, has been central in protecting Ukrainian people and infrastructure from aerial threats. It is specifically designed to defend against unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, cruise missiles, and fixed-wing aircraft.

According to a report from Euromaidan Press, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the effectiveness of Western-supplied air defense systems like NASAMS and the Patriot system. These systems have significantly enhanced Ukraine's ability to counter long-range missile attacks and kamikaze drones from Russia. The introduction of these air defense systems into Ukraine's arsenal has been a vital part of the country's response to the conflict, aiding in the protection of Ukrainian cities and military forces.

Zelenskyy's statements underscore the strategic importance of these air defense systems in the ongoing conflict, demonstrating their role not only in military defense but also in the broader context of national security and civil protection. The effectiveness of NASAMS in the Ukrainian conflict underscores the system's capabilities in modern warfare scenarios, particularly in defending against a range of aerial threats.

The NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) is a sophisticated and versatile air defense system developed through a collaboration between Norway's Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and the American company Raytheon. Designed to counter a wide range of aerial threats, NASAMS can effectively engage unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, cruise missiles, and various fixed-wing aircraft. The system is notable for its ability to be integrated seamlessly with existing and future air defense infrastructure, enhancing its utility in various operational scenarios.

A key feature of NASAMS is its advanced radar and sensor technology, which is central to its network-centric design. This technology allows the system to simultaneously detect, track, and engage multiple targets, ensuring comprehensive aerial surveillance and protection. NASAMS employs the AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) as its primary weapon, renowned for its accuracy and dependability. The missile has an operational range of approximately 25 to 180 kilometers (15 to 112 miles), and the system can target aircraft at altitudes up to 15,240 meters (50,000 feet). This wide range and high-altitude engagement capability make NASAMS a formidable tool for modern military air defense. Additionally, its rapid deployment capability and operational versatility in various environmental conditions make NASAMS a preferred choice for many armed forces worldwide.

Defense News December 2023