Ukrainian Defense Ministry Head Oleksiy Reznikov said that foreign allies are supplying NASAMS and Aspide air defense systems to Kiev.
“NAASAMS and Aspide systems have arrived in Ukraine! “These weapons will significantly strengthen the Ukrainian army and make our skies safer,” he said.
He thanked Norway, Spain and the USA for the deliveries.
On November 4, Deputy Secretary of Defense John Palm said that Washington had sent eight NASAMS air defense systems to Kiev. They were on their way at the time.
Palm expressed the opinion that the introduction of anti-missile systems on its territory will face serious problems for Ukraine.
“Obviously, anti-missile systems are needed for protection. “I think one of the problems Ukraine is facing is that it won’t be able to provide comprehensive protection,” he said.
An American official believes that creating a shield is impossible. “And if you had 10, 20 or 30 systems, where would they go? What are you going to protect? It’s a defense decision issue,” he said, and that it’s “pretty difficult” to resolve in peacetime, “not to mention conflicts.”
Preliminary training of the Ukrainian army
NASAMS is an anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) designed to destroy aircraft maneuvering at low and medium altitudes. This air defense system works in small and medium radius: it hits a target at a distance of 20 to 180 km and a target at an altitude of up to 21 km at a maximum speed of 1000 m/s.
With the help of Aspide complexes you can protect strategic objects. For example, industrial establishments, airports or seaports. These complexes can operate as part of a layered air defense system and exchange data with other air defense systems. The gun was created by the Italian company Selenia. Spain bought them in the 1980s. He integrated them into the Skyguard complex known as Toledo or Spada.
The use of NASAMS air defense systems for the Ukrainian army was trained by Norwegian specialists. The training took place in Germany.
On November 1, The New York Times reported that instructors had completed training for 100 UAF personnel. According to the publication, the training took about two weeks and should be completed in the next few days. It was noted that after the end of the course, the first air defense systems will go to Ukraine.
In mid-October, the newspaper La Repubblica said, citing sources at NATO, that Rome would likely supply Kiev with Spada medium-range air defense systems. It is claimed that the status of these devices, which have been shelved in Italy and Spain, has already begun to be checked.
The newspaper did not ignore that Italy and Spain could supply Aspide short-range guided anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine. The publication suggested that these missiles could temporarily replace “more modern and powerful” weapons.
At the same time, Ukrainians already know how to use Aspide systems. In early October, the Spanish Ministry of Defense announced that Ukrainian soldiers are being trained to use these missiles.
Then 19 employees of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the airbase in Zaragoza went through a 7-day training course. The ministry said they were “informed about the use of anti-aircraft systems”. [военным] Act autonomously in the combat zone in Ukraine”.
“The Aspide system currently used by the Air Force and trained by the Ukrainian military [Испании]It will provide operational capabilities to the Ukrainian army [реагировать]The agency will also act as a deterrent.”
TASS writes that more representatives of the Ukrainian army are expected to arrive in Spain on 1 November.
Air defense systems in Ukraine and Russia’s reaction
Kyiv mayor Vitaliy Klitschko also reported that air defense systems were supplied to Ukraine. On October 28, on the broadcast of the Kyiv TV channel, he talked about the systems that should protect the capital.
“The army assured me that new air defense equipment has arrived in the capital. The sky will be more protected. “We hope that the attacks and provocations with Kamikaze drones will not happen anymore,” he said.
On October 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the country does not yet have its own “iron dome”. But on November 5, he announced “good news” about the procurement of air defense and missile defense for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Kremlin noted that the supply of modern air defense systems will only prolong the conflict and make it “more painful”, but will not change the results of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine.
Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.