Hungary confirms acquisition of NASAMS air defense missile systems with United States.

According to information published by the magyarnarancs.hu website on November 19, 2020, US Ambassador in Hungary David Cornstein and Hungarian Secretary of Defense Tibor Benkő have signed a memorandum of understanding for the acquisition of NASAMS air defense missile systems for an amount of $1 billion.
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Launcher unit of NASAMS medium to long-range air-defense missile system. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The NASAMS is a medium to long-range air-defense missile system jointly developed and designed by the US Company Raytheon and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace from Norway. Currently, the NASAMS is in service with Chile, Finland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, United States, and Indonesia. Other countries as Australia, India, Oman, and Qatar have shown interest to purchase this air defense missile system.

In May 2020, the U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Hungary of sixty (60) AIM-120C-7/C-8 AMRAAM­ER missiles, and two (2) spare AIM-120C-7/C-8 AMRAAM-ER guidance sections and related equipment for an estimated cost of $230 million.

The Government of Hungary has requested to buy sixty (60) AIM-120C-7/C-8 AMRAAM­ER missiles, and two (2) spare AIM-120C-7/C-8 AMRAAM-ER guidance sections. Also included are four (4) AMRAAM-ER training missiles (CATM-120C); missile containers; spare and repair parts; cryptographic and communication security devices; precision navigation equipment; software, site surveys; weapons system equipment and computer software support; publications and technical documentation; common munitions and test equipment; repair and return services and equipment; personnel training and training equipment; integration support and test equipment; and U.S. Government and contractor, engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated cost is $230 million.

In August 2020, the Stars and Stripe website announced that Hungary has signed a deal with the United States to purchase NASAMS (National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) air defense missile systems for around 1$ billion.

The NASAMS battery includes three multi-missile launchers (LCHR), each carrying up to six ready-to-fire missiles inside the protective canisters. The purpose of the NASAMS Multi-Missile Launcher is to transport, aim and fire missiles with different characteristics, all mounted on the same launch rail inside the protective canisters. The NASAMS launcher carries up to six AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles and is connected to the FDC (Fire Distribution Center) command post via radio and/or field wire.

The NASAMS missile is able to intercept aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and UAVs. The surface-to-air missile used by the system is the AIM-120 AMRAAM, however, the system can also launch AIM-9X Sidewinder, ESSM (Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile), and indigenous missiles.