Dutch Ministry of Defense Plans to Buy New Air Defense Systems

14 October, 2024 Launch of an AIM-120C AMRAAM missile from the NASAMS air defense system. Photo from open sources The Dutch Ministry of Defense plans to purchase new NASAMS and NOMADS air defense systems from Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace.

KONGSBERG reported about this on its website. It is reported that on October 14, 2024, the Dutch government submitted a recommendation to the parliament, outlining its intention to acquire new systems under the CITADEL program--a comprehensive integrated air and missile defense program. "The Netherlands' plans to acquire NOMADS and the new NASAMS systems will significantly enhance the country's operational capabilities.

This upcoming acquisition underscores NASAMS' position as the world's leading medium-range air defense system and the importance of NOMADS as an effective complement to NASAMS, offering a mobile and integrated air defense solution for Allies," stated Eric Lee, President of Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace. The number of systems planned for purchase is not disclosed, but it is reported that the expected value of the deal will be NOK 11 billion (EUR934 million). The contract is expected to be signed by the end of 2024.

As part of the order, KONGSBERG will cooperate with the Dutch industry, and delivery of the weapon system will begin in 2028. The Netherlands first acquired the NASAMS system in 2006. In addition to NASAMS, CITADEL's solution also includes the National Maneuverable Air Defense System NOMADS, a highly mobile air defense configuration with short-range missiles designed to protect ground forces in a dynamic and complex ground combat environment.

NOMADS and NASAMS air defense systems

As previously reported, the Dutch government is planning to strengthen its air defense with new NOMADS air defense systems.

NOMADS air defense system.

Photo credits: Kongsberg

At the time, it was reported that the Netherlands planned to purchase up to 18 of these systems. It was also reported that the Netherlands could develop a new configuration of the NOMADS system, which would have an increased target area. An X-band radar of the XENTA-M family manufactured by the Danish company Weibel Scientific was integrated into the system.

The range of detection of air targets can reach 75 km. NOMADS is equipped with two launch containers, each containing two anti-aircraft missiles. The initial tests of the system were conducted with IRIS-T missiles from Diehl Defense.

Norway and Kongsberg decided to use Raytheon's AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles. NASAMS air defense systems are manufactured by a consortium of the American corporation Raytheon Technologies and the Norwegian group Kongsberg. The system includes launchers for six missiles and Raytheon AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel radars.

The launcher of the NASAMS air defense system of the Hungarian Army, October 2023.

Photo credits: Hungarian Ministry of Defense

The latest version of the system, in addition to the AIM-120 AMRAAM basic interceptors, includes AIM-9X short-range missiles and AMRAAM-ER medium-range missiles.

They are capable of intercepting aerodynamic targets at a distance of up to 40 km.