On Tuesday, November 7th, Hungary has received its first two NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) air defense systems from Norway, as part of a 410-million-euro ($439-million) contract signed in November 2020. The official handover ceremony took place in northwestern Hungary, attended by Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky and other military officials. The NASAMS systems, which replace a Soviet-era defense system, will be utilized by the Győr Air Defense Missile Regiment. The NASAMS, incorporating Raytheon’s Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and Sentinel radar, offers enhanced security against various aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones. Hungary, facing increased threats in Europe, emphasizes the importance of robust ground-based air defense systems for national sovereignty and security. Defense Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky notes the system's significance in the context of current conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The NASAMS delivery makes Hungary the 12th country to operate this advanced air defense system.

On Thursday, November 8, the US responded to attacks on its personnel in Iraq and Syria by conducting a precision strike on an Iranian-linked weapons storage facility in Eastern Syria. Two US Air Force F-15 fighters carried out the strike, aiming to defend US personnel and interests. The action was taken following at least 40 attacks on US forces between October 7 and November 7, primarily by IRGC-Quds Force affiliates supporting non-state actors in the Middle East. The Department of Defense emphasized self-defense motives and urged against escalation, affirming the continuation of counter-ISIS missions in Iraq and Syria. The strike is part of the broader Middle Eastern conflict, with tensions escalating amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The F-15 Strike Eagle fighters used in the operation are equipped for precision strikes with air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities.

On Sunday, November 12th, Israel's defense ministry has announced a $340 million deal to sell its David’s Sling air defense system to new NATO member Finland. Described as a "historic agreement," the system, developed jointly by Israeli and US companies, is capable of intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft, and drones. This follows Israel's previous $3.5-billion deal to sell its Arrow 3 hypersonic missile system to Germany, aimed at bolstering NATO's air defenses in Europe. The sale to Finland underscores a growing demand for Israeli arms in Europe, driven in part by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

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