UK Donates Hundreds Of AMRAAM Missiles For Ukraine’s NASAMS MK2 Launchers

According to information published by the British Ministry of Defense, the United Kingdom will donate hundreds of additional AMRAAM surface-to-air missiles used with the NASAMS air defense system, of other types, previously provided, will also be donated as part of the package, along with hundreds of additional aerial drones to support Ukraine’s information gathering and logistics capabilities, and a further 18 L119 105mm light towed artillery guns, in addition to the 64 already delivered.

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Norwegian Technical Support Staff loading AMRAAM missiles into the Australian Army’s NASAMS Mk 2 Canister Launcher as part of Factory Acceptance Testing in Kongsberg, Norway. (Picture source Kongsberg)

The UK will donate cutting-edge air defense missiles to Ukraine which can help protect against Russian missile strikes, the Defense Secretary announced on October 13, 2022.

The AMRAAM surface-to-air missiles, which will be provided in the coming weeks for use with the NASAMS air defense systems pledged by the US, are the first donated by the UK which are capable of shooting down cruise missiles.

Bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses has been and remains a priority for UK military support. So far we have provided a variety of air defense systems including Stormer vehicles fitted with Starstreak launchers, and hundreds of anti-air missiles.

The UK will also give £10 million to NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine. The funding will help to provide urgent non-lethal assistance to Ukraine such as winter clothes, shelters, generators, fuel trucks, and ambulances for the Ukrainian Army ahead of the winter.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the United Kingdom has already provided a wide range of artillery and air defense weapons including Stormer Starstreak air defense armored vehicles, M270B1 MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, second-hand Belgian M109 155mm self-propelled howitzers and 64 L119 105 towed guns.

On September 16, 2022, the United States announced that two NASAMS air defense missile systems will be delivered to Ukraine. The NASAMS is an air defense missile system able to engage up to 72 targets simultaneously in active and passive modes. The NASAMS fires the American-made Raytheon AMRAAM as the baseline missile, identical to the AMRAAMs used on fighter aircraft. The dual-use concept has operational advantages and reduces logistics costs. The missile is able to hit targets at a range of up to 40 km and at an altitude of up to 14 km.

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