Rheinmetall to upgrade Norwegian air defence sensors
Norway's NASAMS batteries will receive new electro-optical sensor systems. (Photo: Forsvaret)
Norway will replace its current Rheinmetall MSP500 electro-optic sensor units, fielded as part of the NASAMS surface-to-air missile system, with the new MSP600digital.
Rheinmetall has signed a contract with the Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) to modernise the Multi Sensor Platform MSP500, which forms part of the country’s NASAMS air defence missile system.
The MSP 500 is a stabilised sensor package with thermal and daylight cameras, laser rangefinder, video tracker, vertical sensor and north-finding sensor, integrated into NASAMS batteries.
The upgrade contract, valued in the low double-digit million-euro range, covers replacement of MSP500 systems supplied in 2002 plus associated simulators with the more powerful MSP600digital. Installation of new systems will commence in summer 2025.
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The MSP600digital, based on the in-service MSP600 used by Finland and Germany according to Shephard Defence Insight, is a four-axis platform controlling an EO sensor package, consisting of a day/night thermal imager, laser rangefinder and HD colour daylight camera.
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