Norway Orders Additional NASAMS Air Defence Systems

The Norwegian government has signed a NOK 2.7 billion (approximately $300M) contract with Kongsberg for the delivery of additional NASAMS air defence systems.

The agreement with the Norwegian Defence Material Agency includes the acquisition of multi-missile canister launchers and new Fire Distribution Centers for NASAMS. These additions will replace equipment previously supplied to Ukraine and enhance Norway's air defence capacity.

In June 2024, Norway announced plans to procure new NASAMS systems with an option for further acquisitions. The government has now exercised this option. Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram highlighted the accelerated pace of these acquisitions, stating, “In less than a year, we have secured deliveries equivalent to four complete NASAMS batteries to the Norwegian armed forces.”

The NASAMS system, co-developed by KONGSBERG and Raytheon, has been an integral part of Norway’s air defense since its introduction in the 1990s. Operated by a crew of two, its effective firing range depends on the missile type, reaching up to 30 km with NASAMS 2 using AMRAAM missiles and extending to 50 km with NASAMS 3 equipped with AMRAAM-ER missiles. The radar tracking range for NASAMS 2, using the MPQ-64F1 radar, spans 120 km. The system’s flight altitude capabilities range from 21 km with NASAMS 2 to 35.7 km with the upgraded NASAMS 3 configuration.