Exclusive: Ukraine to CoDevelop with Norway New Interceptor Missile for NASAMS Air Defense System.

According to information published by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace on June 22, 2025, the company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Kyiv with a Ukrainian defense partner to jointly develop and manufacture a new generation of cost-effective air defense missiles for the NASAMS air defense system. The agreement was formalized during a high-level visit by Kongsberg President Eirik Lie to the Ukrainian capital, with the initiative supported by the Norwegian government. The new missiles are specifically designed to counter the growing threat posed by low-cost aerial threats such as drones.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

AIM-120 AMRAAM missile currently used in NASAMS air defense system; Norway and Ukraine to co-develop a new interceptor missile designed for NASAMS to enhance defense against drone threats and enable large-scale production. (Picture source: Norway MoD)

The collaboration between Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace from Norway and Ukraine aims to address the pressing operational need for scalable, efficient missile solutions by combining Norwegian technological expertise with Ukraine’s combat-proven experience and industrial capacity. These missiles will be optimized for integration with the NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System), which is already a key component of Ukraine’s current air defense structure. Kongsberg emphasized that this joint initiative is not only a strategic industrial partnership but also a timely response to the evolving dynamics of modern warfare, where mass deployment of inexpensive drones is challenging traditional air defense systems.

The NASAMS system, co-developed by Kongsberg and Raytheon, is a highly flexible and network-centric, medium-range air defense platform designed to engage a wide spectrum of aerial threats. It uses a modular architecture allowing seamless integration of multiple sensor types and missile variants. The system’s primary interceptor is the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, capable of engaging targets at ranges up to 25 kilometers and altitudes up to 15 kilometers. Some NASAMS configurations also support the shorter-range AIM-9X Sidewinder and the extended-range AMRAAM-ER. The system’s architecture supports simultaneous engagement of multiple targets and is highly automated, reducing operator workload and response time.

The NASAMS is designed to intercept fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, UAVs, and various precision-guided munitions. Its combat management system, the Fire Distribution Center (FDC), enables real-time data fusion from multiple radar sources including AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel, improving detection, tracking, and engagement accuracy. The system’s performance in Ukraine has highlighted its rapid reaction capability, high target discrimination, and resilience against saturation attacks, making it one of the most effective solutions currently in use.

Ukraine has been operating NASAMS systems since November 2022, delivered with support from Norway, Lithuania, the United States, and Canada. As of 2025, 13 batteries and additional components equivalent to at least three more systems have been committed to Ukraine. The United States has pledged eight systems, with Lithuania contributing two launchers. Operational results in Ukraine show NASAMS has intercepted over 900 Russian drones and missiles with a reported effectiveness rate of around 94 percent. In one engagement, a NASAMS battery neutralized 11 cruise missiles in just two minutes, demonstrating its strategic impact in protecting Ukrainian infrastructure and military assets.

The newly announced NASAMS missile development initiative aims to enhance these capabilities by delivering an affordable and mass-producible interceptor suited for high-volume drone defense. This reflects a broader shift toward scalable air defense solutions as drone warfare reshapes battlefield dynamics across the globe.