Ukrainian forces set record by downing 11 missiles in 2 minutes
Using the NASAMS system, Ukrainian air forces intercepted 11 Russian cruise missiles in just two minutes. Ukrainian military personnel claim that no one has achieved such a feat before.
"In one battle, we shot down 11 cruise missiles. The operation lasted no longer than two minutes. We probably set all kinds of records compared to other countries, and we are prepared to continue doing so to defend our territory as long as we have missiles," said the commander of the unit operating the NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System), as quoted by Ukrainian media.
One of the most effective anti-air systems in Ukraine
According to the Ukrainians, the operation, during which this remarkable feat was achieved, took place on April 27. NASAMS is a weapon developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in collaboration with the American RTX (formerly Raytheon). It is a short- to medium-range air defence system that was first delivered to Ukraine in the fall of 2022. A complete unit consists of a command centre, radar, and launchers, each equipped with six AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.
NASAMS is designed to intercept various targets, including aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missiles. It is regarded as one of the most effective systems of its kind. This Ukrainian unit, which has set a new record, has successfully destroyed over 150 Russian aerial targets, mainly cruise missiles.
a counter to russian cruise missiles, but not ballistic ones
The Ukrainians emphasize that NASAMS is not capable of intercepting ballistic missiles because the system's radar cannot track such targets, and the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile is not designed to combat them. However, they refute Russian disinformation by stressing that Ukrainian air defence operations do not cause civilian casualties or infrastructure damage. The AIM-120 AMRAAM, if it misses the target, self-destructs in the air. It also does not possess the destructive power of Russian ballistic missiles (which are intercepted in Ukraine by Patriot systems).
Information provided at the beginning of the year by the Norwegian air force indicates that NASAMS achieves an interception effectiveness rate of about 94 percent in Ukraine, with most of the intercepted objects so far being cruise missiles from the Kh-101, Kalibr, Iskander, Kh-59, and Kh-69 families.
The effectiveness of the NASAMS system is also confirmed by its use in protecting important locations, such as the White House and key NATO infrastructure, including the Rzeszów-Jasionka airport. The Norwegians sent this weapon as part of support aimed at strengthening the protection of the logistics hub through which the vast majority of Western aid to Ukraine passes.
