All set: NASAMS delivered and deployed, Ukrainian soldiers trained

By Al Mayadeen Engish
Source: Agencies
8 Nov 2022 23:19

Two NASAMS systems have been delivered to Ukraine and Ukrainian soldiers have been trained in an unknown location, according to Pentagon spokesperson.

Pentagon Spokesperson Patrick Ryder (US Defense Department)

The Ukrainian military just finished training on the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) air defense system, according to Pentagon Spokesperson Patrick Ryder during a press conference on Tuesday.

Ryder told reporters, "They did recently complete that training," indicating that Ukraine had received the two NASAMS it had been promised in July.

When asked, Ryder refused to reveal where the training was conducted.

Significantly, the spokesperson added that “the systems [NASAMS] are now in Ukraine and operational.”

Amid its confrontation with Russia, the US has given Ukraine a total of 8 NASAMS systems. According to authorities from the Pentagon, the delivery of the remaining six air defense systems is not anticipated to happen anytime soon.

The NASAMS is a short-to-medium-range ground-based air defense system that can be used against helicopters, cruise missiles, and aircraft.

Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have undergone training: Reznikov

In the same context, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov confirmed back on October 18, that his country will soon receive the NASAMS, which are designed to destroy maneuvering targets at low and medium altitudes.

"Soon we are expecting the delivery of the first NASAMS air defence systems. Our soldiers have nearly mastered the [new] equipment," Reznikov said.

Sharing details about recent meetings with the Ukraine Defense Contact Group - also called the Ramstein format - NATO defense ministers, and international partners, Reznikov claimed that the countries of the Ramstein format and NATO will extend their support to Ukraine, pointing out that Kiev has already received huge aid from partners and continues to receive it.

He highlighted that thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have undergone training, while tens of thousands are preparing to be trained in partner countries.