The Norwegian government has ordered new National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace to strengthen the country’s air defences, Kongsberg announced on 31 January 2024.
The contract is valued at approximately NOK 1.4 billion (EUR 120 million), with deliveries expected in the 2026-2027 timeframe.
Kongberg’s contract with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) includes new multi-missile canister launchers and new fire distribution centres for NASAMS, replacing equipment previously donated to Ukraine. The delivery will provide Norway with the latest generation of NASAMS, developed to meet current and future threats.
“These are investments that secure the country,” Norwegian Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram was quoted as saying in a Kongsberg press release. “The war in Ukraine has shown how important air defence is, and before Christmas the Norwegian government was able to present a record order for air defence to the Norwegian armed forces. We have taken extraordinary measures to speed up the acquisition. The contract for the re-acquisition of donated material is the first step.”
“A state-of-the-art air defence system is strategically important for Norway’s defence capabilities and is vital for safeguarding our national security interests,” added Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. “Norway was the first NASAMS user, and we are pleased to extend the strong collaboration with this and forthcoming deliveries.”
The original NASAMS, then known as the Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, was delivered to the Norwegian armed forces in the 1990s. Today there are currently 13 NASAMS user nations.
NASAMS’ modularity and open architecture enable the continuous introduction of new technology and new capabilities, ensuring that the system can be adapted to new threats and missions throughout its lifetime. Kongsberg sees it as “one of the most flexible solutions in the market”, covering “a wide range of air defence needs”.
“For us, it is important to support Ukraine with the necessary material, while at the same time we must ensure a well-armed Norway,” stated Gro Jære, director of the NDMA. “This project has been completed in half the time of a normal project run thanks to good efforts from all parties, which I see as a positive development.”
To expedite production Kongsberg invested in expanding its own production capacity while strengthening ties with its Norwegian and international suppliers.
