Norway gains approval for $1.9 billion purchase of AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs
The US State Department has approved the potential sale to Norway of AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs under the Foreign Military Sales programme along with related equipment for an estimated cost of US$1.9 billion.
The deal will be for the purchase of 300 AIM-120C-8s and 20 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections, as well as AMRAAM containers and support equipment, spare parts, consumables, accessories, and repair and return support. The approval also included weapons software, support equipment, classified software delivery and support, and transportation support.
Under the procurement Norway will replace its AIM-120B AMRAAMs with the latest version of the AIM-120C. The newly acquired missiles will be used for ground-based air defence in the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) but may be subject to dual use with the F-35A.
Shephard Defence Insight noted that Norway purchased 52 F-35As through an FMS programme for $11.2 billion in 2008, with scheduled deliveries between 2015 and 2024, based on the delivery of six aircraft per year. The initial procurement contract was for the purchase of 40 aircraft with the possibility of another 12.
NASAMS and similar systems have been high on the shopping list for several countries, with Norway itself ordering more systems and Australia firing AIM-120s from its NASAMS, while systems have also been deployed to Ukraine.
More from Land Warfare
-
Poland’s Borsuk IFV awaits production contract
Poland showcased its latest Borsuk infantry fighting vehicle at Eurosatory in Paris, highlighting its domestically funded development, advanced weaponry and planned production of 1,400 units to replace Soviet-era models.
-
KNDS targets 40 CTA turret for export market
KNDS France has targeted export sales of its 40 CTA turret, showcased at Eurosatory 2024, by potentially focusing on Middle East markets for the ARTEC Boxer platform.
-
John Cockerill Defense provides more firepower to M113A3
A Cockerill Protected Weapon Station added to a M113A3, as demonstrated at Eurosatory 2024, will enhance the APC’s firepower while optimised turret controls will improve operations in urban environments.
-
Allison’s latest propulsion system designed specifically for AFVs
A transmission manufactured by Allison Transmission has been selected for the XM30 OMFV which will replace the US Army’s M2 Bradley IFV.
-
CAESAR Mk II experiences high demand at Eurosatory
KNDS-France debuted the advanced CAESAR Mk II 155mm 6x6 self-propelled artillery system at Eurosatory last week with orders now exceeding 600 units valued at $3.5 billion.
-
Arquus displays Drailer multirole wheeled UGV
Drailer has been launched into a busy marketplace populated by tracked vehicles such as Milrem’s THeMIS and the wheeled General Dynamics’s Multipurpose Unmanned Tactical Transport.