In an interview broadcast on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country had received an advanced air defense system from the United States.
This is the first confirmation of Ukraine’s acquisition of the long-sought NASAMS system, which Washington agreed to provide late last month.
“We absolutely need the United States to show leadership and provide air defense systems to Ukraine. I want to thank President Biden for the positive decision that has already been made,” Zelensky said, according to the English-language transcript of the interview. Thank you.”
“But believe me, it’s not even enough to cover the civilian infrastructure – schools, hospitals, universities and homes of Ukrainians,” he said.
Features of the NASMAS air system:
A medium-range air defense system jointly designed and developed by Raytheon and Kongsberg.
Radar and launcher elements can be deployed over a wide area separated by more than 20 kilometers.
This missile system can hit 72 targets simultaneously with 91% accuracy.
This system can be deployed to detect, track, engage and destroy fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and drones.
This system has a 360-degree defense capability and is suitable for round-the-clock operations.
This system is designed to work in all weather conditions, be it tropical or desert.
This missile system is intended to protect sensitive places and large population centers against aerial threats.
Since 2005, the NASAMS missile system has been deployed to protect Washington, DC 24/7.
Zelensky thanked Biden for the delivery of the HIMARS missile system and other multiple-barrel launchers that would enable Ukraine to advance into areas controlled by Russian forces.
Ukraine launched counter-offensives this month to liberate large swathes of territory in northeastern Kharkiv province. And he also achieved field achievements in the south of the country.
Source: Lebanon Debate
