What are NASAMS, the new defence technology heading to Ukraine?
- NASAMS stand for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems
- They were developed jointly by a Norwegian and American company in the 1990s
- The third generation of NASAMS is currently being developed
Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the country had received a shipment of the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems from the United States during an interview with CBS’ Face the Nation on Sunday.
In the past, Zelenskyy has lobbied heavily for the air defense systems during pleas for international help via equipment and military aid. During the interview he said that his country also needed access to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems as well as artillery and air defense systems.
” I want to thank President Biden for a positive decision that has been already made. And to the U.S. Congress, we received NASAMS. It’s the air defense systems,” he told Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan.
What are NASAMS?
The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems is a short to medium range air defense system that is meant to target UAVs, cruise missiles, helicopters, and unmanned aerial combat vehicles as well as aircrafts.
The air defence system began development in the 1990s when Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace teamed up with American aerospace and defense conglomerate Raytheon to build a sophisticated missile system for the Royal Norwegian Air Force. They are used to protect key assets as well as a civilian population.
US President Joe Biden approved the shipment of NASAMS to Ukraine towards the end of August. Currently, it is unclear if Ukraine will receive more NASAMS from the US and how many it is expected to acquire.
The first generation of the NASAMS first entered military service in 1998 with the second generation being developed simultaneously. In the early 2000s, the technology received an update which improved the communication network while also improving the systems’ radar capabilities.
Towards the end of July, the US Department of Defence said that it would be acquiring the two batteries for Ukraine, which is a total of 12 launchers with each having six missiles. Ukraine has received the second generation, called NASAMS 2.
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