Ukraine receives more NASAMS air defence systems: Zelensky
Ukraine has deployed additional Western-provided advanced surface-to-air missile systems (NASAMS) to strengthen its air defences against Russian attacks as winter approaches, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. It is reported by Upmp.news with reference to “Polskie Radio”.
Zelensky announced the delivery via social media on Tuesday, the RBC-Ukraine news agency reported.
Ukraine’s president said on the Telegram social messaging app: “I received reports on the arrival of ammunition, vehicles, and equipment over the last day. Additional NASAMS systems from our partners have been put on combat duty. It’s a timely reinforcement of our air defense for the winter.”
The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) is a medium-range, network-centric air defence system designed and developed jointly by America’s Raytheon and Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, the Air Force Technology website reported.
The weaponry is part of the United States’ latest, USD 425 million arms package for Ukraine’s defence against Russia, announced on Friday.
NASAMS can fire 72 missiles in 12 seconds and is used to shoot down airplanes, helicopters and cruise missiles within a radius of 40 km, the RBC-Ukraine news agency reported.
Netherlands sends first batch of F-16s to Romania to train Ukrainian pilots
Meanwhile, the Dutch air force on Tuesday sent the first F-16 fighter jets to Romania to train Ukrainian pilots, Ukraine’s Ukrinform news agency reported.
Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren confirmed the deployment on the X social media platform.
She wrote: “Five Dutch F-16s are departing for Fetești airbase in Romania today.“
Ollongren added that the F-16 training centre for pilots from both NATO countries and Ukraine would open soon, Ukrinform reported.
Earlier, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder was cited as saying that the training of Ukrainian pilots on the F-16s in America may last more than five months, depending on the individual proficiency of the pilots.
Tuesday is day 622 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
(pm/gs)
Source: RBC-Ukraine, Air Force Technology, Ukrinform