Finland to order Norwegian-US air defense system
The Norwegian Advanced SAM System (NASAMS). The NASAMS launcher has six ready to fire AMRAAM missiles.
The Finnish government said April 28 it would order a Norwegian-U.S. NASAMS air defense missile system, radars and defense equipment to the value of $690 million.
“We’re very pleased with the announcement and are committed to supporting the Finnish armed forces in making the MRADMS program a success,” said Kongsberg’s CEO Walter Qvam. “The NASAMS system will contribute to ensure Finland’s national security, and the MRADMS project will bring substantial Industrial Participation for Finish industry. It will also open up for increased export possibilities for Finnish industry.”
The medium-range system, designed and built by Norway’s Kongsberg and U.S. company Raytheon ( RTN – news – people ), will cost $460 million, the Defense Ministry said. It will replace old Russian BUK M1 air defense technology and be phased in in 2013-2014. The ministry said it would also spend $230 million on radar technology and $160 million on other air defense equipment, to be decided later.
NASAMS was developed in close cooperation with the Royal Norwegian Air Force during the 1990s and has since then been contracted by the Netherlands, Spain, and the US. In latter case, the high capacity system was operational in connection with the inauguration of the US president in Washington DC in 2005. It has been in continuous operation ever since.
“Finland’s choice confirms the Kongsberg/Raytheon team’s position as the leading air defence supplier in Europe and NATO,” said Kongsberg’s Harald Ånnestad.
Read more on Kongsberg.com
