In November, the Pentagon reported sending eight NASAMS anti-aircraft missile batteries to Ukraine. In the same month, President Joe Biden approved a further $400 million military aid package for Ukraine, which included anti-aircraft guided missiles for NASAMS air defense systems due to prior extensive use of such missiles. The request was to document past hostilities in Ukraine.
Additionally, the United States Army awarded Raytheon Missiles and Defense a contract valued at $1.2 billion to supply six additional NASAMS air defense systems to Ukraine. This agreement is part of the fifth package of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and includes training and logistical support for Ukrainian forces.
In August, Raytheon, a leading global defense contractor, won a contract to supply NASAMS anti-aircraft missile batteries for the Ukrainian Armed Forces as part of the third USAI package. The new contract continues earlier agreements and reflects ongoing collaboration.
The first two NASAMS batteries capable of launching AIM-120 medium-range missiles have been delivered, deployed, and reportedly demonstrated effective defense against modern air assault threats, according to Pentagon officials.
The NASAMS system was developed by Norway’s Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace in collaboration with Raytheon. These surface-to-air missile systems are currently used for air defense in several contexts, including protection of key U.S. administrative centers, but NASAMS is not widely deployed in active U.S. Army combat operations at this time.
“These are proven systems that will influence the trajectory of hostilities,” commented William LaPlante, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Weapons and Military Equipment Procurement.
Manufacturing and shipping a NASAMS system typically takes about 24 months, though the U.S. Army and defense industry are exploring ways to shorten that timeline.
“These efforts underscore the urgency of the U.S. government’s approach to acquiring air defense for allies and replenishing stockpiles of weapons and equipment,” the U.S. Army stated. Defense News quoted these remarks.
“The rapid signing of a contract worth up to $1.2 billion with Raytheon Missiles and Defense for the supply of six NASAMS air defense systems to Ukraine illustrates the military’s ability to accelerate delivery of critical combat equipment through domestic industry and allied partnerships,” added Doug Bush, U.S. Army Supply Officer.
The Raytheon contract was managed by the U.S. Air Force Office of Guided Missiles and Space Programs and other DoD representatives. Under the agreement, NASAMS systems can be transferred to Ukraine through 2025, covering six batteries with 72 launchers in total.
Consequently, talks began with Middle Eastern partners about transferring NASAMS equipment previously supplied to monarchies to Ukraine. Washington agreed to reimburse these transfers within six months, and regional partners were viewed as capable of fulfilling the arrangements. The Gulf and Oman were anticipated to participate in this plan, with rapid movement of the systems to eastern Poland and then into Ukraine using U.S. military transport assets.
Reports indicated that Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman were prepared to contribute NASAMS systems to Ukraine. In this context, there were discussions about additional offers from the United States to supply long-range air defense systems, fighter aircraft, helicopters, and main battle tanks. Observers noted a willingness from the region to engage with such proposals, with Oman possibly adding Pantsir-S1E systems, Qatar offering Roland systems, and Bahrain contributing MIM-23 Hawk and Crotal air defense equipment.
At the same time, Ukraine pressed Western allies for a comprehensive, non-strategic air defense network capable of countering Russian air threats. Western analysts note that Ukraine’s air defense inventory has largely relied on older Soviet-era systems, with NASAMS now supplementing existing capabilities, alongside requests for Cold War-era Hawk systems, which remain compatible with many mission tasks. The goal is an integrated system covering short, medium, and long-range air defense to counter both manned aircraft and missiles.
Building a full non-strategic air defense architecture is a long-term project, but steps towards it have begun. The central question remains the timing and sequencing of the broader program’s deployment.