The US Army awarded a $1.2 billion contract to Raytheon Technologies Co. for six National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) for Ukraine on Wednesday, according to the Pentagon.
The US has approved sending Ukraine a total of eight NASAMS to help fend off Russian missile and drone attacks.
Ukraine received its first delivery of two NASAMS air defense systems in November. Others will be sent in future months once they are built.
"NASAMS are just the latest in the diverse set of air-defense capabilities we are delivering to Ukraine," Bill LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, said.
The six NASAMS systems were part of the fifth Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) package which was announced on Aug. 24 and had a total value of $2.98 billion, according to an Army Statement.
USAI funds allow the Biden administration to procure weapons from industry rather than taking weapons from existing US weapons stocks.
The contract is for the NASAMS batteries, training, and logistical support to the Ukrainian military and security forces.
Funds for the two other NASAMS came from the third USAI package announced in July.
The Pentagon has stated that the newly US-provided NASAMS air defense systems have had so far a 100% success rate in Ukraine restricting Russian missiles.
In total, the US has committed more than $19.3 billion in security aid to Kyiv since the beginning of the Biden Administration.
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