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Netherlands Strengthens Defense with NASAMS and NOMADS Acquisition from Kongsberg.
On October 14, 2024, the Dutch government announced plans to acquire NASAMS and NOMADS air defense systems from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace under a contract valued at $1 billion. This acquisition falls under the CITADEL program, an integrated defense initiative designed to enhance the country’s air and missile defense capabilities.
The Netherlands currently operates six NASAMS units, having used the system since 2006, and these new acquisitions will allow for the modernization and expansion of the country's ground-based air defense capabilities (Picture source: Forsvaret)
The NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) is a medium- to long-range air defense system developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in collaboration with Raytheon. Initially introduced in Norway in 2015, NASAMS has since been adopted by several NATO and EU countries. Known for its integration with AMRAAM missiles, NASAMS is also compatible with a range of additional weapons, including L-70 guns, RBS 70, and HAWK missiles, as well as directed energy and long-range systems like the Patriot. NASAMS can identify, engage, and neutralize various airborne threats, including aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones, ensuring the protection of critical assets and urban centers. Its modular design includes a command center (FDC), an AN/MPQ64F1 Sentinel 3D radar, a passive electro-optical sensor, and multiple launchers equipped with AMRAAM missiles.
NASAMS has several upgraded variants, such as NASAMS 2 and NASAMS 3, which feature Link 16 communication capability and enhanced ground radar, along with an ergonomic control console and a Mk 2 launcher capable of firing AIM-9X Sidewinder and AMRAAM-ER missiles. The AMRAAM missiles, particularly the AIM-120C7 and AIM-120C, have high speed and maneuverability to counter evasive targets, with a range of up to 40 km and an altitude of 14 km. Mobility is ensured with the launchers mounted on transport platforms like the Scania 113H in Norway and IVECO in Spain, enabling rapid deployment and air transportability.
The Dutch Ministry of Defense submitted the acquisition recommendation to Parliament, marking a significant step in approving this purchase. According to Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, the addition of NOMADS and NASAMS will substantially enhance the operational capabilities of the Netherlands while reinforcing NASAMS as a leading medium-range air defense solution. He also highlighted NOMADS as an essential complement to NASAMS, offering NATO allies a mobile, integrated air defense option.
The Netherlands currently operates six NASAMS units, having used the system since 2006, and these new acquisitions will allow for modernization and expansion of the country's ground-based air defense capabilities. The NASAMS system can employ a mix of munitions, including extended-range AMRAAMs for greater reach and AIM-9X Sidewinders for close-range engagements, providing adaptable protection against contemporary aerial threats.
Derived from NASAMS technology, NOMADS complements the medium-range system by providing mobile forces, such as battalions and brigades, with extended air defense coverage at the front lines (Picture source: Kongsberg)
In addition to NASAMS, the CITADEL program incorporates NOMADS, a maneuverable air defense system tailored for mobile operations and specifically designed to safeguard land forces in contested environments. NOMADS consists of two launchers, each with two missiles, a 3D radar, and a KONGSBERG PROTECTOR remote weapon station, fully integrated with NASAMS and other NATO systems, allowing for autonomous and networked operations with multiple vehicles.
The NOMADS (National Maneuver Air Defence System) is a short-range air defense system designed to protect mobile ground forces and their lines of advance in dynamic land warfare environments. Mounted on a high-mobility armored vehicle, NOMADS integrates command and control, sensors, and weaponry in a single modular platform. It includes a 3D AESA radar with a range of over 50 km, day/night and thermal cameras, and AIM-9X Block 2 Sidewinder missiles, capable of countering cruise missiles, helicopters, aircraft, and drones. The system also features a 0.50-caliber remote-controlled weapon station and an optional directional jammer for enhanced close defense.
NOMADS operates both autonomously and in networked configurations, and it is fully interoperable with NATO air defense systems through standard data links and protocols, including L16/JREAP-C and NATO IFF Mode 5. Derived from NASAMS technology, NOMADS complements the medium-range system by providing mobile forces, such as battalions and brigades, with extended air defense coverage at the front lines. The SHORAD module can be fitted to various vehicle types, making it easily transportable by air, sea, and land.
KONGSBERG announced that this project will be conducted in partnership with the Dutch industry, thereby strengthening industrial cooperation between the two nations. The initial system deliveries are scheduled for 2028, with the final contract expected to be signed by the end of 2024. KONGSBERG has stated that no further comments will be made until the contract is finalized.