Norway to buy AMRAAM missiles from US in a $367 million deal

Europe, News, US November 1, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

3 minute read

Norway has signed an agreement with the United States to acquire state-of-the-art AMRAAM missiles worth $367 million. The Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency announced that the agreement represents “one of the largest single procurements of weapons made for the Norwegian Armed Forces”.

The Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), produced by U.S.-based defense giant RTX, are renowned for their versatility in combat. Capable of intercepting aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones, AMRAAM missiles will be integrated into Norway’s ground-based Norwegian Defense Air Defense System (NASAMS) and its fleet of F-35A fighter jets. Replacing older AIM-120B missiles with the latest C version, the upgrade ensures that Norway is better positioned to counter modern aerial threats.

“This acquisition will allow the Norwegian Armed Forces to better protect Norway against air attacks,” said Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram. In response to the shifting security dynamics in Europe, particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine, Norway is prioritizing the modernization of its defense systems.

The advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) is a new generation air-to-air missile. It has an all-weather, beyond-visual-range capability. With improved software and hardware, the new AMRAAM variants are equipped with better guidance systems.

The AMRAAM has been in use by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy as well as several American allied forces. In the air, AMRAAM is compatible with F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35, and F/A-18 fighter jets. The missile can also be deployed using the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS).

In recent years, Norway has undertaken a series of military procurements aimed at bolstering its air defenses and ensuring the readiness of its armed forces. In 2022, Oslo signed a collaborative agreement with RTX and Norway’s own Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace to jointly enhance the NASAMS infrastructure, which has formed the core of Norway’s air defense for decades.

^{An AIM-120 D-3 sits at Raytheon’s Tucson, Arizona plant. The AIM-120 D-3 is the latest variant of the combat-proven AMRAAM, developed under the Form, Fit, Function refresh, known as F3R. (Image Credit: RTX/Raytheon Technologies)}

The $367 million purchase is part of Norway’s Long-Term Defense Plan, a 12-year initiative with a budget of $60 billion extending from 2024 to 2036. This comprehensive plan allocates resources for new equipment, personnel expansion, and infrastructure improvements.

As a NATO member, Norway has committed to reaching NATO’s guideline of spending 2 percent of its GDP on defense, aligning itself with regional security efforts, and enhancing cooperation with its allies.

Given Norway’s strategic position bordering Russia, this build-up reflects a conscious effort to reinforce national security in an uncertain geopolitical landscape. Norwegian officials have emphasized that this commitment to defense spending aims to enhance both Norway’s independence in responding to potential threats and its ability to collaborate in joint defense efforts across the region.

Earlier this year, Norway also got approval to purchase sixteen M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and related equipment in a deal that was estimated at around $580 million. To increase interoperability with NATO forces, Norway chose HIMARS over South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace K239 Chunmoo rocket artillery system.

This deal caused a major setback to the Seoul-based company, which was hoping to secure significant contracts in the European market starting with Norway and Sweden. Hanwha Aerospace is in a deal with Norwegian firm Kongsberg to jointly develop defense equipment, including the Chunmoo system.