Norway signs Nkr1bn deal with Kongsberg for additional NASAMS air-defence components

OSLO – November 3, 2025: Norway has signed a contract worth approximately Nkr1bn ($98m) with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace to acquire additional components for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS). The procurement aims to strengthen Norway’s air-defence capability against evolving aerial threats and enhance protection of critical infrastructure.

Contract scope: new command posts, communications and radios

The new order will upgrade Norway’s existing NASAMS batteries with modern command-and-control and communications systems. According to the government’s announcement, the package includes:

• New command posts to improve decision-making and engagement management;
• Wheeled communication nodes to enhance mobility and network resilience;
• Upgraded radio equipment, with MRR radios being replaced by Kongsberg’s THOR Combat Net Radio for higher capacity and functionality.

In parallel, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) has ordered long-lead components to enable swift delivery of additional NASAMS systems, aligning with Norway’s Long-Term Plan for the Defence Sector.

Government and NDMA statements

Norway Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik said: “The government is prioritising strengthening our air defence. This agreement is an important step in ensuring increased response capacity and protection of Norwegian forces and critical infrastructure.”

NDMA director Gro Jære said: “With this acquisition, we ensure that the NASAMS departments receive flexible and modern command posts and communication systems that provide faster decision support, higher tempo and increased survivability.”

What NASAMS provides

Developed jointly by Raytheon and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, NASAMS is a medium-range, network-centric air-defence system designed to detect, track and engage multiple aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system provides layered coverage for high-value sites and densely populated areas against air-to-surface threats, and is currently fielded by 13 nations.

Part of a broader Norwegian air-defence build-up

The latest contract extends a series of investments Norway has made to accelerate the production and modernization of its air-defence assets:

• March 2024: Norway announced a strategy to expedite NASAMS production and procurement, allocating Nkr941m for Kongsberg.
• February 2024: Kongsberg was also tasked with supplying new multi-missile canister launchers and Fire Distribution Centres for Norway’s NASAMS.

Together with the new Nkr1bn package, these steps aim to increase readiness, improve command-and-control agility and ensure Norway can scale its air-defence posture quickly through pre-ordered components and upgraded communications.

Why the upgrades matter

Replacing legacy MRR radios with THOR Combat Net Radio is intended to bolster bandwidth, resilience and interoperability across NASAMS units. The addition of mobile communication nodes and updated command posts supports faster data exchange, decision support and survivability-critical factors for defending against fast-moving, multi-vector threats such as cruise missiles and UAVs.

Industry and national security implications

The deal reinforces Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace’s role in Norway’s air-defence modernization and underscores the continued relevance of Raytheon-Kongsberg collaboration on NASAMS exports and upgrades. With 13 nations operating NASAMS, the enhancements may also contribute to standardization and interoperability among allied users.

Conclusion: Accelerating Norway’s air-defence readiness

With the Nkr1bn ($98m) contract and additional NDMA long-lead orders, Norway is moving to reinforce its NASAMS network with upgraded command posts, communications nodes and THOR Combat Net Radio. The government’s ongoing investments from 2024 to 2025 signal a sustained focus on faster decision-making, higher operational tempo and improved protection of forces and critical infrastructure as air-threat dynamics evolve.