Norway massive investment to accelerate production and installation of NASAMS Air Defence System.

According to a statement of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, the Norwegian government has revealed its plans to accelerate the procurement of NASAMS (National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) air defense systems by ordering critical components in advance. This initiative comes with a proposed allocation of approximately 91,2 million € to Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, highlighting Norway's commitment to enhancing its military and civilian air defense infrastructure against the backdrop of the current global security situation.
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NASAMS demonstration in Norway.(Picture source konsberg )

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized the urgency of the procurement, citing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as a stark reminder of the crucial role air defense systems play in wartime. "We must enhance Norway's air defense capabilities to more effectively protect both civilian and military objectives from air attacks. The present security climate necessitates the expedited procurement of advanced air defense systems," he stated in a government press release.

The NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) is jointly developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) and Raytheon. It's designed to defend against a variety of aerial threats, including fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cruise missiles, thereby protecting high-value assets and population centers. Originating in Norway, NASAMS was first operational in 1994 and has since been adopted by several countries worldwide​
NASAMS have a effective radar range of 120km and a missile range of 30km.

KONGSBERG, in collaboration with American defense contractor Raytheon, provides the NASAMS system, which is currently operational in 13 countries. Geir Håøy, CEO of KONGSBERG, welcomed the government's initiative, revealing that the company has already invested nearly three billion NOK to expand its production capabilities in air defense and missile systems.

Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram highlighted the challenges in the defense industry related to extended delivery times for such complex systems. "We've seen an increase in delivery times. To address this, we aim to order critical parts now to speed up future procurements of NASAMS. This initiative is expected to decrease production times," Gram stated.

The strategic decision to order parts in advance is anticipated to significantly reduce the wait times for new launcher units upon the signing of new contracts. Eirik Lie, CEO of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, remarked on the potential impact of the government's initiative, stating, "This government initiative will allow us to expedite NASAMS deliveries once new contracts are finalized. It offers us the chance to secure critical components with lengthy delivery schedules sooner than was previously possible."

The proposal for this new investment in the Norwegian Armed Forces has been submitted to the Norwegian Parliament for political consideration, marking a critical step in Norway's efforts to strengthen its national defense capabilities in response to the evolving global security landscape.

Defense News March 2024