Netherlands Considering Purchase of 18 New Norwegian NOMADS Air Defense Systems.

A recent report has revealed that the Dutch armed forces are showing increasing interest in acquiring the NOMADS mobile short-range air defense system developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. This initiative could be part of the existing contract with Norway and expand the system's footprint among NATO allies. The Netherlands plans to purchase up to 18 NOMADS vehicles, with adjustments to increase missile capacity compared to the Norwegian configuration.
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Due to the primary allocation of Diehl Defence's IRIS-T missile production to Ukraine, Norway, and Kongsberg have chosen Raytheon's AIM-9X-II Sidewinder as the main missile for NOMADS (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The NOMADS (National Maneuver Air Defence System) was developed following a 2019 contract with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency to meet the mobile air defense requirements of the Norwegian Army. Initially, six vehicles were ordered, with three already delivered and successfully tested. The NOMADS module is vehicle-agnostic and can be mounted on any vehicle meeting the required dimensions and payload, such as the FFG ACSV G5 used by Norway.

Equipped with two launch canisters, each containing two missiles, and an AESA 3D radar from Weibel Scientific, NOMADS also features a remote weapon station with day/night and thermal cameras and a laser range finder. Although initial tests were conducted with Diehl Defence's IRIS-T missile, the production of this missile is primarily dedicated to Ukraine. Consequently, Norway and Kongsberg have opted to use Raytheon's AIM-9X-II Sidewinder as the primary effector.

The AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II is an advanced short-range infrared-guided missile developed by Raytheon Technologies. Entering service in 2003, it boasts significant improvements over its predecessors, including enhanced resistance to infrared countermeasures, extended range, and lock-on-after-launch capability. This makes it a suitable choice for the NOMADS system, given Raytheon's capacity to meet new orders.

Aside from the Netherlands, the German government is also considering procuring the NOMADS system for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, either through independent funding or in collaboration with other European countries. Integrating radars from countries like Sweden and Denmark is also being explored.

NOMADS is fully integrated with NASAMS and other NATO systems via Link 16, enabling autonomous and networked operations with two or more vehicles. Its VHF and UHF communication capabilities, along with Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 5, facilitate seamless integration into a broader air defense network. The integrated XENTA-M radar, with a detection range exceeding 50 km, provides 360-degree coverage and can detect aircraft, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

By expressing interest in acquiring 18 NOMADS vehicles, the Netherlands aims to enhance its operational requirements by increasing missile capacity. This potential acquisition underscores the importance of NOMADS as an effective complement to NASAMS, offering a mobile and integrated air defense solution for NATO allies.

Traditionally, the Dutch army uses Stinger missiles, deployed from Fennek armored vehicles or carried by soldiers. With the purchase of NOMADS, the Netherlands would significantly modernize their air defense capabilities. For medium-range defense, the modernized NASAMS system will gradually replace older versions, providing enhanced protection up to 50 kilometers.