The Spanish government has announced a €410 million agreement with Norwegian firm Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) to modernize and acquire additional NASAMS air defense systems. This announcement was made on April 19, 2024, by the Spanish Armaments Directorate, Dirección General de Armamento y Material (DGAM), which also filed a notification of award for the NASAMS modernization program.
The NASAMS (National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) is a cutting-edge, medium-range air defense system, developed jointly by KONGSBERG and American defense company Raytheon. Recognized globally for its effectiveness, NASAMS has been a critical component of Spain’s defense strategy, being the first international user with more than two decades of operational experience. Spanish units of NASAMS are notably deployed in the Baltics as part of NATO’s Air Shielding Mission.
The modernization program is set to significantly enhance the existing capabilities of Spain’s NASAMS batteries. With eight batteries currently operational, this upgrade is pivotal in maintaining the integrity of national and NATO-aligned air defense.
NASAMS (National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) is a highly advanced, medium-range air defense system that is co-developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and the American defense contractor Raytheon. It is designed to protect against a variety of airborne threats including aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. NASAMS works by integrating off-the-shelf technology, including radars, sensors, and missiles, with proprietary command and control systems to create a cohesive and flexible air defense network.
The NASAMS air defense system’s core is built around the AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile), which provides the firepower to engage enemy targets at ranges of up to 25 kilometers and altitudes of up to 20 kilometers.