Denmark acquires Norwegian-made NASAMS air defense missile system in €500 million deal.

Denmark has signed a EUR 500 million deal with Norwegian Company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace for new NASAMS air defense systems. The purchase strengthens Danish and regional protection against evolving aerial threats and supports deeper Nordic defense cooperation.

Norwegian Company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace confirmed on November 27, 2025, that it secured a EUR 500 million agreement to supply Denmark with the NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) air defense missile system, a move officials in Oslo and Copenhagen described as a practical response to the rise in unmanned and missile-based threats across Europe. While the company did not detail the delivery schedule, Danish defense leaders said the acquisition will anchor a more layered national defense model that aligns with broader Nordic air and missile integration efforts.
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The NASAMS medium-range air defense system combines Raytheon radars with Kongsberg fire control and launchers, providing multi-mission capability against aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones. Deployed by 14 nations, it offers modular, networked protection for high-value assets in NATO and allied operations. (Picture source: Norway MoD)

The contract, officially concluded in Copenhagen after months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, will equip Denmark with one of the most combat-proven and adaptable medium-range air defense systems currently in service. The acquisition reinforces Denmark’s capacity to counter advanced aerial threats and aligns with NATO's broader effort to strengthen regional deterrence and collective air defense capabilities across its northern flank.

The Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) is expected to begin receiving initial NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) components by 2026, with full operational capability projected by 2028. The procurement package includes KONGSBERG’s Fire Distribution Center (FDC), multi-missile launchers, and integration of Raytheon-supplied radars and missile variants. While the core interceptor remains the AIM-120 AMRAAM, the system will also employ the AIM-120 AMRAAM-Extended Range and the AIM-9X Sidewinder, providing flexibility in countering both long-range and close-in aerial threats.

The NASAMS system’s modular architecture and scalable configuration enable tailored force design for both national and expeditionary operations. This flexibility supports Denmark’s evolving operational requirements while offering full interoperability with NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) network. The system’s open architecture is designed to facilitate future upgrades, such as integration with longer-range interceptors and sensors capable of detecting low-observable and hypersonic threats.

Originally developed by Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in partnership with the U.S.-based Raytheon, NASAMS is a networked, medium-range surface-to-air missile system designed to defend high-value assets and critical infrastructure against a broad range of aerial threats. The system incorporates a modular and distributed layout that allows for multiple radar types, fire control nodes, and effectors to be combined into a single, coordinated defensive network. Core components include the Raytheon AN/MPQ-64 F1 Sentinel radar, Kongsberg’s Fire Distribution Center, and a range of interceptors.

The NASAMS is capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, drones, and low-flying or maneuvering threats. The system’s baseline interceptor, the AIM-120 AMRAAM, delivers precision engagement capabilities at ranges up to 25–30 kilometers, while the extended-range AMRAAM-ER significantly increases that distance to over 40 kilometers. The addition of the AIM-9X missile expands NASAMS' short-range intercept profile, particularly against agile and fast-closing aerial threats.

What sets NASAMS apart in modern air defense doctrine is its ability to operate in a dispersed and survivable configuration. Fire units can be distributed across wide areas, networked in real time, and relocated quickly to respond to shifting threats or protect new assets. This operational agility enhances survivability against saturation attacks and electronic warfare interference. In combat, the system has been validated during high-pressure scenarios, including its operational use in Ukraine, where it has effectively intercepted Russian cruise missiles and loitering munitions around key urban centers.

Denmark’s decision to procure NASAMS places it among 14 user nations worldwide, including eight NATO members. The system is already in service with the United States, Norway, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Spain, Hungary, and Finland. Its adoption by Denmark further consolidates air defense standardization within the Nordic region, paving the way for joint training, logistical coordination, and potentially shared command-and-control frameworks.

This acquisition also comes at a critical time for European defense modernization, as nations across the continent seek to reinforce short- and medium-range air defense capabilities in light of new-generation aerial threats. The integration of NASAMS into Denmark’s military architecture complements recent investments in fifth-generation fighter aircraft and enhances the country’s ability to defend its airspace, support NATO contingency operations, and safeguard key infrastructure under joint force arrangements.

Kongsberg’s NASAMS contract with Denmark strengthens its industrial footprint in the NATO defense sector and underscores the growing demand for scalable, interoperable air defense solutions. The company is expected to scale up production capacity to accommodate future orders, while discussions continue across the alliance about wider deployment of mobile, layered air defense systems in response to evolving battlefield conditions.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.