Raytheon has officially awarded Kongsberg a contract worth $270 million for the provision of components for the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) under Land 19 Phase 7B.
The Raytheon/Kongsberg NASAMS, which passed the Gate 2 milestone in March, is fielded by seven nations, including the US, and provides ground-based air defence against fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial systems using the Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile).
The system will eventually become the inner tier of Australia’s integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) capability.
“We are pleased that Australia has chosen NASAMS," Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg, said in a statement on Raytheon's decision. "The continuous technical evolution of the system and addition of users confirms that NASAMS is the most modern and advanced air defence system in the world.
"NASAMS, produced by Kongsberg and Raytheon, is the backbone air defence system for many nations in decades to come."
Raytheon Australia Managing Director Michael Ward told ADM last year that more than 200 suppliers across Australia have been engaged to determine opportunities for Australian industry to contribute to the program, with a number of suppliers already identified to support the program throughout its development.
“As the specific capability requirements for this program are finalised, a number of these Australian suppliers and SMEs will be contracted to deliver unique Australian components,” Ward said.