The Norwegian defense procurement agency has awarded Kongsberg a contract worth around 266 million Norwegian krone ($31.4M) for the upgrade of the country’s National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS).
The upgrade of the NASAMS Sentinel radar’s Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) ensures the system operates in accordance with future NATO standards, further improving the already secure identification of friendly aircraft.
According to Norway’s 2019 defense white paper, the country has set aside up to 400 million krone for the project. It is expected to be completed by the end of the year. From 2023, Norway will invest up to 650 million krone to equip the NASAMS air defense system with new sensors and missiles for air surveillance and increased range.
All NATO countries are mandated to migrate to the new Mode 5 standard IFF, which uses advanced cryptographic techniques to secure systems against electronic interference from the enemy.
“Norway continues to upgrade their ground-based air defense capability by implementing the latest available technology. The modernization will enhance NATO commonality and reinforce the NASAMS capability,” says Kjetil Reiten Myhra, executive vice president of integrated defense systems in Kongsberg.
The company says NASAMS is the world’s most widely used air defense system in its segment, jointly developed and manufactured by Raytheon and Kongsberg. In addition to Norway, five other NATO nations and a number of others are using the system for their medium-range air defense needs.
Norway operates NASAMS 3, the latest version of the system incorporating the AMRAAM Extended Range missile (AMRAAM ER). It contains a command post, Raytheon AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel active 3D radar, a passive electro-optical and infrared sensor and a number of missile canister launchers. Other missiles that can be launched from a NASAMS include the AIM-120 AMRAAM B/C5/C7, and the AIM 9-X Sidewinder Block II missile.
