“We are doing this primarily for Ukraine and Poland, but also to show that we honor our commitments in NATO,” said Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram. According to him, the protection of the airspace by the Norwegian Air Force is to guarantee that the aid intended for Ukraine will reach its goal.
The mission will take place between December and Easter and will operate in Polish airspace, the minister specified.
Various NATO allies take turns in providing such protection to Poland. Gram assured that the mission will not affect Norwegian defense in any way.
Poland plays an important role in the supply of military aid to Ukraine. Military equipment travels through the airport near Rzeszów, where American soldiers with Patriot anti-aircraft systems are stationed, Reuters reminded. From January, the Germans will also protect the logistics hub with the patriots.
From a logistical point of view, the broad-gauge freight railway line number 65 leading from Silesia to the Ukrainian border is also important. This railway line leads through Zamość and trains with heavy military equipment for Ukraine travel along it.
Norwegian anti-aircraft system NASAMS
NASAMS (National/Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) is a medium to long-range air defense system produced by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace.
It is a modular mobile system that includes the AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel 3D radar, the MPS500 electro-optical system, a control station and six launchers located on a vehicle or trailer.
The system can launch AIM-9X Sidewinder or IRIS-T missiles, but the most commonly used are AMRAAM, which destroys targets at a distance of 33 km and at a height of 15 km, and the more powerful AMRAAM ER, which offers roughly half the range and reach.
The NASAMS system is used by, among others, Spain, the Netherlands, and Oman, and after the Russian invasion in 2022, also Ukraine. In the USA, it guards the airspace over the capital Washington.
Germany will deploy patriots in Poland in January
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