The government of the Netherlands has announced plans to acquire advanced air defense systems from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG), including NASAMS and the new NOMADS systems, in a deal valued at approximately NOK 11 billion (USD 1 billion).
The acquisition is part of the Dutch Ministry of Defense’s comprehensive CITADEL program aimed at enhancing the country’s air and missile defense capabilities.
The CITADEL program, which focuses on integrating air and missile defense systems, received the Dutch government’s official recommendation to Parliament on October 14, 2024. The new systems will expand the Netherlands’ air defense arsenal and improve ground-based protection for both civilian and military targets.
“This forthcoming acquisition underscores NASAMS’ position as the world’s leading medium-range air defense system and highlights NOMADS as an effective mobile air defense solution for NATO allies,” said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
The Netherlands first acquired NASAMS in 2006. The upgraded systems will employ a combination of advanced missiles, including the AMRAAM Extended Range (ER) and AIM-9X Sidewinder, providing longer- and shorter-range interception capabilities. NASAMS, already widely used across NATO, will be integrated with the highly mobile NOMADS system, specifically designed to protect land forces in contested environments.
NOMADS will come equipped with two launch canisters, 3D radar, and KONGSBERG’s PROTECTOR remote weapon station. The mobile air defense system will be fully interoperable with NASAMS and other NATO defense assets, enabling autonomous or networked operations across multiple vehicles.
Deliveries of the systems are expected to begin in 2028, with KONGSBERG working closely with Dutch industry for the production and implementation. The contract signing is anticipated later this year.