Hungary joins the NASAMS club
Hungary has become the 12th country worldwide — and the sixth NATO member — to order the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) from Kongsberg and Raytheon Missiles & Defense.
The medium-range air and missile defence system is being provided under a €410 million ($491.38 million) contract. Raytheon is providing its AMRAAM and AMRAAM-ER missiles plus the Sentinel air defence radar with C-UAS capability; Kongsberg will deliver its Fire Distribution Center and canister launcher.
Hungary had requested AMRAAM in May from Raytheon via the FMS programme.
Tom Laliberty, VP of land warfare and air defence at Raytheon Missiles & Defense, said: “Upgrading Hungary’s layered defense capabilities not only enhances NATO commonality, but maximises the Hungarian military’s ability to quickly identify, engage and destroy current and evolving enemy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicle and emerging cruise missile threats.’
According to the Hungarian government, delivery is scheduled for 2023.
‘Selecting NASAMS and becoming part of the greater NASAMS family allows Hungary to take advantage of the active production line - ensuring rapid delivery and competitive pricing for Hungary’s armed forces,’ Kongsberg claimed in a 30 November statement, adding that there will be a role for Hungarian industry in the programme.
Earlier in November, Indonesia became the latest country to deploy NASAMS. Other countries ordering the system, according to Shephard Defence Insight, are: Australia, Chile, Finland, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Spain and the US.
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