Norwegian aerospace solutions provider Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace will provide Norway with multi-missile canister launchers and fire distribution centers under a $239 million contract.
According to a company statement Dec. 19, the new order is an option included in the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System contract, providing Oslo an opportunity to acquire more NASAMS technology.
“In 2024, we stepped up the pace and in less than a year we have secured deliveries equivalent to four complete NASAMS batteries to the Norwegian armed forces,” said Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram.
Modern NASAMS
Kongsberg and Raytheon introduced the NASAMS air defense system in the 1990s to equip the Norwegian armed forces with capabilities to address aerial threats. It was the world’s first operational network-centric short-to-medium-range ground-based air defense system.
Due to the system’s modular and open architecture and the evolving requirements of a modern battlefield, the two defense contractors upgraded the NASAMS with several new features, including the AMRAAM Extended Range missile and the AIM-9X-2 short-range air-to-air missile.
Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, emphasized the defense technology’s vital contribution to guarding Norway’s national security and ensuring its capability to meet current and future threats.
Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace and Norway also worked on another NASAMS technology in October, collaborating with Raytheon to develop and deliver an increased-range GhostEye-based solution.