The US intends to shift all the air defense systems in the Middle East to Kyiv, which is suffering from excessive Russian missile bombardment. Targeted pinpoint strikes with precision weapons have destroyed military and power grid targets, Rendering the Ukraine government helpless.
Ukrainian Air Defense Systems Against Russia
The situation is dire for Ukraine as more anti-air batteries are needed as Russian drones and missiles are making quick work of defenses, reported Middle East Eye.
This same plan will see the US have sent National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) to Ukraine within the next three to six months. Greg Hayes, CEO of Raytheon Technologies, said the US would then restock the systems obtained from Middle Eastern partners with fresh NASAMS within the next 24 months.
Hayes spoke to Politico, saying that NASAMS is positioned all over the Middle East, and a few of NATO's allies and the US are working with a couple of Middle Eastern countries that currently employ NASAMS and directing those right back to Ukraine.
Rerouting the systems from the Middle East will be faster than making new ones for Kyiv, considering the time required to find individual components and distribute them.
It was mentioned that it took 24 months to assemble, but that doesn't necessarily imply it will take 24 months to enter the country.
NASAMS air defense systems are capable of destroying cruise missiles, remotely piloted aircraft, and other aircraft. In November, Ukraine got its first delivery from the United States, citing Reuters.
Kyiv Gets More Military Assistance
The US has given five security assistance packages to Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion. Washington requested six more systems from Raytheon as a component of the aid. Those shipments may not occur for another two to three years.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has been begging the EU and the US for more advanced air batteries as the Russian missile bombardment quickly destroys the energy grid. Power is getting scarce as the Ukrainian leader waits for help.
With the cold weather getting closer, Moscow had already progressively hit its neighbor's energy grid with unmanned drones in an apparent effort to degrade public morale, leaving the majority of Ukrainians without heat and electricity.
Hayes should have said which Middle Eastern countries would provide the systems. The US Defense Department did not respond to a request for comment from Middle East Eye.
Gulf Nations Allowed To Purchase the System
The US allowed Oman and Qatar to buy the NASAMS, Oman got one in 2016, and Qatar was permitted to get it in 2019.
Should the systems withdraw, even temporarily, from the Gulf region?
Washington is trying to put together all the missile batteries it can get its hands on, called a NATO of the Middle East. But the Arab countries don't want to work with the Biden administration losing grip in that region,
Saudi Arabia is not happy that the US government will pull back all air defense batteries from there. They are up against drones and missiles coming from the Houthi rebels from Yemen, mentioned The Wall Street Journal.
The US will send the NASAMS air defense systems in the Middle East to Kyiv as the Russian missile bombardment gets more intense.
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