Kongsberg has signed a $400-million contract with Raytheon to deliver the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to Kuwait.
Awarded under the US foreign military sales program, the contract follows a $1.02-billion US Army award to Raytheon in May for the procurement of NASAMS fire units for the Gulf nation.
No delivery timeline has been disclosed for the latest contract. However, the earlier US Army contract stipulates completion by May 2031.
NASAMS comprises components supplied by both Raytheon and Kongsberg. Kongsberg provides the Fire Distribution Center, launchers, and communications suite, while Raytheon supplies effectors such as the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile and the AIM-9X Sidewinder, as well as radars.
Part of Layered Defense
The order comes as Kuwait’s modernizes its armed forces amid heightened regional tensions.
NASAMS will integrate into the Gulf country’s layered air defense architecture, enhancing its ability to protect the population, critical infrastructure, and strategic assets against a wide range of aerial threats.
“The acquisition will help address Kuwait’s urgent operational need for modern, flexible, and combat-proven air defense,” President of Defence Systems at Kongsberg Kjetil Reiten Myhra said.
“It underscores NASAMS’ role as one of the world’s most widely deployed and operational medium-range air defence systems.”
About NASAMS
NASAMS is a ground-based air defense system equipped with medium- to long-range interceptors carrying high-explosive blast-fragmentation warheads.
Each launcher can carry up to six missiles and engage fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, and cruise missiles at ranges of up to 60 kilometers (37 miles).
Using distributed sensors, the system can detect threats at distances of around 120 kilometers (75 miles) and engage targets at altitudes of up to 21,000 meters (69,000 feet).
With Kuwait’s acquisition, NASAMS has now been selected or adopted by 18 nations, including Ukraine, Australia, Chile, Spain, and the US.
