Norway procures NASAMS systems and missiles

The Norwegian government is procuring more NASAMS launchers, fire-control centres, and missiles for the Norwegian Armed Forces. (Forsvaret)

The Norwegian government, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, and Nammo announced investment plans on 15 November for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) launchers, fire-control centres, and missiles for the Norwegian Armed Forces.

The NOK12.5 billion (USD1.2 billion) order is Norway's largest single investment in air defence in 30 years, according to the Norwegian government. It includes eight launchers; four fire-control centres; and short-, medium-, and long-range missiles.

Oslo said the missiles would replace older ones or missiles donated to Ukraine, with NOK5.1 billion of the NOK12.5 billion coming from the Nansen fund set up by Norway for aid to the war-torn country. The older missiles being replaced are AIM-120B Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), which are due to expire in a few years. The new short-range missile will be the AIM-9X Sidewinder, which will replace IRIS-T missiles originally intended to arm a Norwegian mobile ground-based air defence (GBAD) system at the end of their lifetime but that were instead donated to Ukraine. The GBAD system is being developed and produced by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. The AIM-9X is already arming Norwegian F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, which the Norwegian government said would simplify logistics.

The medium-range missile will be the AIM-120C AMRAAM and the longer-range missile the AMRAAM-ER (Extended Range), which along with the AIM-9X the Norwegian government expects to substantially improve the effectiveness of NASAMS.

The NASAMS missiles will be ordered from their supplier, Raytheon, with Nammo and Kongsberg supplying parts. The acquisition will be conducted through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.