OSLO, Norway, June 30, 2026 — Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has signed a contract valued at approximately $400 million with U.S.-based Raytheon to supply the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to Kuwait. The agreement, announced on June 30, forms part of Kuwait's ongoing efforts to modernize its integrated air defense capabilities through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
The contract represents Kongsberg's share of a broader $1.02 billion NASAMS contract awarded by the U.S. Army to Raytheon in May 2026. Under the agreement, Kongsberg will manufacture and deliver NASAMS fire units, with production and deliveries scheduled to continue through May 2031.
Strengthening Kuwait's Layered Air Defense
Kuwait is acquiring NASAMS to strengthen its existing layered air defense architecture by providing medium-range protection between short-range and long-range air defense systems. The system is intended to enhance the country's ability to protect its population, critical infrastructure, military facilities, and strategic assets against a broad range of aerial threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
NASAMS System Overview
Jointly developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Raytheon, NASAMS is a modular short- to medium-range ground-based air defense (GBAD) system designed to detect, track, and engage fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones.
The system has been adopted by multiple countries and is designed with a network-centric architecture that enables integration with existing air defense systems and command-and-control networks.
A standard NASAMS configuration includes:
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Fire Distribution Center (FDC): Developed by Kongsberg, the command post manages target detection, engagement, and weapon assignment.
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AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel 3D Radar: Manufactured by Raytheon, the radar provides three-dimensional surveillance and target tracking.
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Passive Electro-Optical and Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors: Used for passive target detection and tracking.
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Missile Launchers: Modular canister launchers capable of firing interceptor missiles.
The primary interceptor used by NASAMS is the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). The ground-launched AMRAAM used by NASAMS is the same missile employed by fighter aircraft worldwide, allowing common logistics and support across operators.
Modular Architecture
NASAMS is built with an open and modular architecture that allows the integration of new sensors, interceptors, and other technologies as operational requirements evolve. This approach enables future capability upgrades while maintaining compatibility with existing air defense networks and supporting flexible deployment in different operational environments.
Long-Term Program
The contract supports the production and delivery of NASAMS fire units for Kuwait under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework. Work is scheduled to continue through May 2031.
The agreement expands the long-standing cooperation between Kongsberg and Raytheon on NASAMS production and supports Kuwait's ongoing modernization of its national air defense capabilities.
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