Norway gains approval for $1.9 billion purchase of AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs
The missiles will be used for the country’s NASAMS but could also be carried by Norwegian Air Force F-35A fighter aircraft. (Photo: Norwegian Armed Forces)
The purchase would replace the Norwegian Air Force’s AIM-120B Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) with the latest version of the AIM-120C for use with NASAMS, as well as possible for the country’s fleet of F-35As.
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.
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