Ukraine loses two NASAMS air defense systems to Russian drones

The Ukrainian military has suffered a significant blow following the loss of two NASAMS air defense systems during a recent wave of Russian airstrikes. According to retired Russian Army Colonel Viktor Litovkin, the destruction of these launchers leaves critical infrastructure—including bridges, fuel and ammunition depots, command posts, and military-industrial facilities—vulnerable to subsequent Russian attacks.

Replacing these systems is expected to be difficult in the short term due to manufacturing timelines. Additionally, the AMRAAM-ER missiles used by NASAMS rely on components from Raytheon, a company currently facing challenges in replenishing United States munitions stocks.

The vulnerability of the NASAMS system is attributed to its limited payload and long reloading cycles when facing massed drone strikes. While a single NASAMS missile costs approximately $1 million, Russian Geran drones cost less than $35,000. New models of these drones reportedly feature high flight altitudes, speeds of up to 700 km/h, and strong resistance to jamming.