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.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![DEFEA 2025 – The Future of Global Defence and Security]()
DEFEA 2025 – The Future of Global Defence and Security
Held in the strategic heart of the Mediterranean basin, DEFEA-Defence Exhibition Athens 2025 is set to be one of Europe’s largest and most influential international defence and security exhibitions, bringing together world-leading defence companies, major manufacturers, industry leaders, and officials from around the globe.
-
![Sweden and Denmark sign for $2.5 billion of BAE Systems’ CV90 combat vehicles]()
Sweden and Denmark sign for $2.5 billion of BAE Systems’ CV90 combat vehicles
Denmark is buying 115 CV9035 MkIIICs and Sweden 50 with the agreement also including further vehicles for Ukraine financed by the two governments.
-
![Poland commits another $4.2 billion for howitzers and rocket launch systems]()
Poland commits another $4.2 billion for howitzers and rocket launch systems
Poland has signed contracts for US$14.4 billion in helicopters, $3 billion in light attack fighter aircraft and $6.5 billion in air and coastal defence systems and now billions more on rocket and artillery systems.
-
![I/ITSEC 2024: 3D perception announces next-generation simulation software WarpCore]()
I/ITSEC 2024: 3D perception announces next-generation simulation software WarpCore
The company is also showcasing the Draco and Atlas simulators at I/ITSEC 2024.
-
![Trophy APS ordered for new German Leopards]()
Trophy APS ordered for new German Leopards
Rafael Advanced Defence Systems’ Trophy active protection system (APS) has been deployed extensively onboard armoured vehicles used by the Israeli Army.
