KYIV — Ukraine has received a new NASAMS air defense system and a package of interceptor missiles from the United States and Norway, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on September 29.
Zelensky also thanked France and Germany for providing additional air defense missiles to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense network.
“I am grateful to our American and Norwegian partners for the NASAMS system and the accompanying missiles. I am grateful to France and Germany for their recent support of our air defense system, specifically in the form of missiles,” Zelensky said.
The deliveries come as Ukraine continues to expand its layered air defense network against ongoing Russian attacks involving missiles and drones.
NASAMS system and capabilities
NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) is a medium-range, network-centric air defense system jointly developed by Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and U.S. company Raytheon. It entered service with the Royal Norwegian Air Force in the mid-1990s and has been continuously upgraded.
A typical NASAMS configuration includes a Fire Distribution Center, an AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel 3D radar, stationary or self-propelled launchers, an optoelectronic surveillance system, and loading and maintenance vehicles. Each launcher can hold up to six missiles.
The system is designed to engage aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Its main interceptor is the AIM-120 AMRAAM, an air-to-air missile adapted for ground launch. Depending on the variant, AMRAAM missiles can engage targets at ranges of up to about 40 kilometers. NASAMS can also use the AIM-9 Sidewinder for shorter-range engagements and the extended-range AMRAAM-ER.
Ukraine's NASAMS inventory
Ukraine first received NASAMS systems from the United States in autumn 2022. Norway has also supplied NASAMS systems and missiles. In February 2026, Zelensky said Ukraine had received more than 10 NASAMS systems from Norway and continued to receive additional systems and Norwegian-made missiles.
Other countries that have contributed NASAMS-related support over time include Canada and Lithuania.
The latest delivery adds another NASAMS system and missiles to Ukraine’s existing air defense network. Ukrainian forces have reported intercepting approximately 55% of jet-powered drones during recent periods, with some later updates citing around 57% for jet-powered models and higher interception rates for conventional propeller-driven drones.
The new deliveries from the United States, Norway, France and Germany add to Ukraine’s existing air defense capabilities as it works to maintain protection for cities, infrastructure and military assets.
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