NASAMS

NASAMS is a network-centric short- to medium-range surface-based air defence system developed by Norway’s Kongsberg and the US company Raytheon (RTX). It fires AMRAAM, AMRAAM-ER and AIM-9X air-to-air missiles from ground launchers and has protected the airspace over Washington, D.C. around the clock since 2005. By November 2026 it had been chosen or fielded by close to 20 countries, among them Hungary, which has been receiving it since 2023 to replace Soviet-era 2K12 Kub systems.

The basic fire unit combines a Fire Distribution Center (FDC) command post, an AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel 3D radar, a passive electro-optical and infrared sensor and launchers that can be sited more than 20 km from the FDC. NASAMS 3 adds the extended-range AMRAAM-ER and the AIM-9X for short-range targets.

Hungary signed for NASAMS 3 with Kongsberg and Raytheon on 30 November 2020, a €410 million contract for seven fire units (6+1). The first two fire units (batteries) were handed over on 26 October 2023 at Győr to the Tibor Dánielfy 205th Air Defence Missile Regiment; the defence minister, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, said the remaining 4+1 were expected in 2024. Hungary was the first NATO member with AMRAAM-ER. NASAMS replaces the 2K12 Kub, and in August 2025 the deputy chief of the General Staff, Lt Gen Ferenc Kajári, declared full operational capability, as one of the regiment’s fire units was permanently deployed to the Pécel–Isaszeg area to cover Budapest.

Norway was the first user and operates NASAMS in both the Air Force and the Army. In 2024 it ordered new launchers and fire distribution centres to replace those donated to Ukraine, and in December 2024 it exercised an option for two more batteries.

The United States has used NASAMS since 2005 in the air defence of the National Capital Region around Washington. The US Army is also the contracting party for the Foreign Military Sales deals for Taiwan, Kuwait and Egypt.

Ukraine has received NASAMS since November 2022 from the United States, Norway, Canada (which bought one system for Ukraine) and Lithuania. The exact number has not been officially published.

Lithuania received its first NASAMS 3 batteries in 2020 and ordered more in December 2023 and October 2024, including an upgrade of its existing systems; deliveries under the new contracts are expected in 2026–2027.

Spain, Finland and the Netherlands operate NASAMS 2. In 2024 Spain ordered an upgrade to the 2+ standard and a new battery for its Air and Space Force (about €410 million), while the Netherlands contracted NASAMS 3 under its CITADEL initiative in November 2024 and ordered more systems in September 2026.

Denmark leases one system from Norway, operational since December 2025 at Skalstrup Air Base, and on 27 November 2025 signed a contract of about €500 million with Kongsberg for its own systems.

Belgium ordered NASAMS through the Dutch procurement agency; Kongsberg announced the NOK 10 billion contract on 29 September 2026. According to Belgium’s defence minister, Theo Francken, one of the ten systems is intended for Luxembourg.

Australia declared the system ready for introduction into service in June 2026; the 16th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, is to field two batteries. Taiwan is buying three fire units and 123 AMRAAM-ER missiles, with the production contract placed in November 2025. Kuwait ordered the system in 2026 (a $1.02 billion Raytheon contract and about $400 million for Kongsberg). Other users are Oman, Qatar, Indonesia and Chile, and in July 2025 the US approved a possible $4.67 billion sale to Egypt.