US approves $285 million air defense system sale to Ukraine

05/25/2023 11:09

On May 24 (local time), the US said it had approved the sale of NASAMS air defense systems and related equipment worth $285 million to Ukraine.

NASAMS system fires during a test. Photo: RAYTHEON

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said the system would help Ukraine increase its defense capabilities, protecting its people and critical infrastructure.

According to the DSCA, this sale also helps the United States achieve its foreign policy national security objectives by enhancing the security of a partner country and contributing to political stability and economic development in Europe. However, this sale does not include the addition of any U.S. government employees or contractors to Ukraine.

The US State Department has approved the deal and the DSCA has also notified the US Congress, which is also responsible for reviewing and approving the transaction.

Many countries, including the US, have supported Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars in military equipment, but this time the US's weapons supply is a business transaction.

* Meanwhile, in a letter to the Dutch Parliament on May 24, Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said the country wants to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets as soon as possible.

The training will be coordinated with Belgium, Denmark and the UK, Ollongren said, adding that other countries could also join the programme.

On the same day, Norwegian Defense Minister Bjoern Arild Gram said Norway will support training programs for Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets. However, the Norwegian government has not yet decided whether to provide any F-16 aircraft to Ukraine.

Last week, US President Joe Biden supported programs to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured Mr. Biden that the planes would not cross into Russian territory.

On May 23, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s would not make the military organization a belligerent in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The West has also repeatedly affirmed that it does not want to cause a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.

For its part, Russia believes that the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine will increase doubts about NATO's role in this conflict.

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