Norway has confirmed it will be providing Ukraine with two complete NASAMS air defense systems in cooperation with the United States.
Norway’s two systems will be in addition to the two NASAMS delivered by the US last fall.
The air defense system is poised to improve Ukraine’s ability to protect its cities and critical infrastructure from Russian missile attacks. Norway will also train Ukrainian personnel in the maintenance and operation of the system.
The Norwegian donation follows the arrival of the first two batteries of the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) from the US in fall last year.
In addition to the delivered systems, the US has also awarded Raytheon a $182.3 million contract to produce NASAMS as part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds.
“Ukraine has a critical need to defend itself against missile attacks, and Norway will assist,” Norway’s defense minister Bjørn Arild Gram said.
“More than a year has passed since the Russian regime started its war against Ukraine. The war has had enormous consequences. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians and service personnel have been killed. Millions have been forced to flee their homes. Large parts of the country have been reduced to ruins. The devastation is difficult to comprehend. Seeing this with my own eyes makes a deep impression,” Gram added.
Norway has previously contributed equipment and training to US donations of NASAMS to Ukraine. Continuing Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure highlight the need to further improve Ukraine’s air defense, the Norwegian defense ministry said in a release.
Jointly developed and produced by Raytheon and Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, NASAMS consists of the Sentinel radar, Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile, and KDA’s fire distribution center. Other missiles that can be launched from a NASAMS include the AIM-120 AMRAAM B/C5/C7, and the AIM 9-X Sidewinder Block II missile.
NASAMS is one of several air defense systems donated to Ukraine by international allies. Other systems include the Franco-Italian SAMP/T, the German IRIS-T, as well as the Patriot system that is being supplied by the United States in coordination with Germany and the Netherlands.
