The announcement was made by the National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby on Tuesday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
It came after Russia’s devastating missile attack on cities across Ukraine this week.
The United States had committed to sending Ukraine a total of eight National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), two of which are expected to be delivered soon and six more at a later date, according to the Reuters news agency.
Two NASAMS for Ukraine 'in very near future'
“We are certainly interested in expediting the delivery of NASAMS,” Kirby told a briefing for reporters.
"We think that we're on track to get those first two over there in the very near future," he stated.
NASAMS air defence systems provide short- to medium-range coverage over 30 to 50 kilometres, according to the New York Times.
The system is used mainly to protect cities against cruise missiles and is currently deployed to defend the skies over Washington, for instance, the PAP news agency reported.
Biden pledges to provide 'advanced air defense systems'
Kirby noted that US President Joe Biden on Monday discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defences with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Biden “pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defense systems,” the White House said in a statement afterwards.
“We will continue to work with them on additional needs going forward and that would include continuing to talk to them about additional air defence capabilities,” Kirby told reporters.
“I don’t have any other announcements to make,” he added, refusing to be drawn on suggestions by some US congressmen that Washington could provide Ukraine with the Patriot anti-ballistic missile systems, according to PAP.
Asked about reports that Russia and Belarus would deploy a joint regional military group, Kirby said he could not confirm if such a move had been made or would be made in the future.
He told reporters that Russian President Vladimir Putin was using Belarus as an extension of Russian territory to supplement and deploy his forces and equipment.
Wednesday is day 231 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, Reuters, nytimes.com, politico.com