Pentagon signs deal to make air defense systems for Ukraine — Analysis

Under the agreement, Raytheon USA will produce the NASAMS system by August 2024.
US arms company Raytheon has been awarded a deal worth $182 million by the Pentagon to supply NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems). This will be used for the Ukrainian military.
The work on short-and medium-range air defense weaponry will be conducted at Raytheon’s facilities in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of August 23, 2024, the US Department of Defense said in a statement on Friday.
In the midst of Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, Joe Biden unveiled a new military aid package earlier this week. This package, which is valued at $2.98billion, will contain six NASAMS systems.
Military assistance funding will be provided as part of Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). This means that the hardware produced will specifically be for Kiev and will not be taken from US stock.
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Air Force Magazine wrote earlier this month that the NASAMS was a crucial piece of technology which could be used by Ukrainian forces to destroy Russian cruise missiles. These have only been hitting Ukrainian targets. “nearly unimpeded.”
Moscow was critical of Washington and Washington’s arms supplies to Kiev for many years, claiming that these weapons only serve to prolong conflict and raise the possibility of an actual confrontation between NATO members and Russia.
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