Kuwait Bolsters Air Defenses with $400M Kongsberg NASAMS Contract via U.S. FMS
Norwegian defence company Kongsberg Gruppen has secured a contract worth approximately $400 million to supply the Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to Kuwait under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The agreement, announced on 30 June 2026, forms part of a broader $1.02 billion NASAMS contract awarded by the U.S. Army to Raytheon in May 2026.
System Breakdown
Under the arrangement, Kongsberg supplies NASAMS fire distribution centers, launchers, and communications infrastructure, while Raytheon provides effectors — including the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles — and radar systems. Each launcher accommodates up to six missiles and can engage fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, and cruise missiles out to 60 kilometres.
Production and deliveries are scheduled to run through May 2031. NASAMS is already in service with Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, Australia, and several other NATO and partner nations.
Gulf Security Context
Kuwait’s NASAMS acquisition reflects the broader Gulf security calculus: Iranian ballistic missile and drone threats, combined with Houthi long-range strikes in the Red Sea corridor, have pushed Gulf Cooperation Council states to invest heavily in layered air and missile defence. Kongsberg positions NASAMS as the core medium-altitude layer in Kuwait’s integrated air defence architecture, complementing short-range systems and Patriot batteries.
Sources: Kongsberg official announcement (kongsberg.com) | The Defense Post | Army Recognition | EDR Magazine
