Within the framework of strengthening the NASAMS air defense system of the Norwegian Armed Forces, the U.S. government has authorized the potential sale of new AMRAAM-ER missiles to the Nordic country. This is outlined in one of the recent notifications from the U.S. State Department to Congress for approval of this transaction through the FMS program.
Due to Norway’s support for Ukraine, which has included the transfer of NASAMS air defense systems, the Nordic country has confirmed that it will move forward with the acquisition of new batteries for the system, jointly manufactured by the local company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and the U.S. firm Raytheon. The Norwegian government’s decision was confirmed in early February of this year with the purchase order for new air defense systems, through a contract valued at $133 million, aimed at replacing the equipment transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
In parallel with these efforts, there are also two ongoing initiatives. The first, undertaken by the aforementioned companies, aims to further strengthen the NASAMS by integrating the latest variants of short, medium, and extended medium-range air-to-air missiles. Specifically, these new variants are the AIM-9X Sidewinder and the AMRAAM-ER, which recorded its first test launch in late February of this year.
Secondly, the Norwegian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense are promoting the acquisition of new batches of the aforementioned air-to-air missiles, with the goal of replenishing stocks depleted by transfers to Ukraine and increasing the capabilities of their current NASAMS by incorporating the latest version of the AMRAAM.
According to information provided by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Norwegian government has requested to purchase up to a total of one hundred (100) AMRAAM-ER missiles from the U.S., along with four (4) AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections. The cost of the operation, including respective spare parts, technical support, and documentation, amounts to $405 million, with RTX Corporation (which includes Raytheon) as the main supplier.
“The proposed sale will enhance Norway’s ability to address current and future threats, complementing and replacing the AIM-120B (AMRAAM) air intercept missiles with the more capable AMRAAM-ER. The newly acquired missiles will be used for ground-based air defense in the Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS). Norway already has AMRAAM missiles in its inventory and will have no difficulty incorporating them into its armed forces,” stated the State Department in the DSCA notification dated August 22.
Finally, regarding the missile’s characteristics, the AMRAAM-ER is an extended-range version that incorporates a series of modifications, including the AIM-120C-8 guidance section, a more robust missile body with a 10-centimeter diameter, a 10-inch rocket motor produced by Nammo, and a 10-inch control actuator system from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. It is designed to integrate with the NASAMS launcher to provide extended range in air defense protection.
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