The US will transfer the first NASAMS air defense systems to Ukraine in early November - the Pentagon
The other day Raytheon Technologies reported that it had handed over NASAMS SAMs intended for Ukraine to the U.S. government. Now the Pentagon told us when Ukraine will receive these systems.
Here's What We Know
According to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, America plans to transfer NASAMS air defense systems to Ukraine as soon as possible - in early November. At the same time, training of Ukrainian soldiers in their use will begin.
"We worked hard to transfer NASAMS systems. We expect that at the beginning of next month we will be able to receive it and train the (Ukrainian) military," the Pentagon chief said at a briefing during the presentation of the US National Defense Strategy.
We are talking about two systems to destroy maneuvering targets at low and medium altitudes. The system was developed in the early 1990s by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defense with the participation of Raytheon. The SAM entered service with the Norwegian Armed Forces in 1994. AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles have a range of 20-40 km and maximum altitude of 20 km. The cost of one battery is about $65 million. By the way, one battery of NASAMS consists of six mobile missile launchers. In addition, the system has a car for charging, target detection and maintenance of the complex.
In addition, Lloyd mentioned Spain's intention to transfer Hawk systems to Ukraine:
"Such steps are welcome. Now you have to teach the military how to use them and we are working on that. And we continue to work hard to ensure that wherever possible, countries turn over air defence systems to support Ukraine as soon as possible."
Source: European Truth