The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Ukraine of the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) and related equipment, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 24 May 2023.
The sale, which is worth an estimated cost of USD 285 M (EUR 266.5 M), has been passed to US Congress for final approval.
The Ukrainian government has requested a NASAMS purchase that includes: one AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel Radar; a fire distribution centre; canister launchers; secure communications, GPS receivers, code loaders, and cable sets; tool kits; test equipment; support equipment; prime movers; generators; technical documentation; spare parts; US government and contractor technical support; and other related elements of logistics and programme support.
“Ukraine has an urgent need to increase its capabilities to defend against Russian missile strikes and aircraft,” the DSCA stated. “Acquiring and effectively deploying this capability will enhance Ukraine’s ability to defend its people and protect critical national infrastructure.”
Ukraine already operates NASAMS; multiple batteries of the system have been provided to Kyiv as part of US military aid packages that were first announced in July 2022, while Canada and Norway have also provided NASAMS units to Ukraine.
Although the DSCA added its usual proviso that “the proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region”, clearly tipping the scales of the Ukraine conflict in Kyiv’s favour is precisely what Washington intends to accomplish with this latest NASAMS sale.
The principal contractor for work under the contract will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense, based in Tucson, Arizona, although Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is a co-developer of the system.
Peter Felstead
