On October 14, 2024, the Dutch government announced plans to acquire NASAMS and NOMADS air defense systems from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace under a contract valued at $1 billion. This acquisition falls under the CITADEL program, an integrated defense initiative designed to enhance the country’s air and missile defense capabilities.
The Netherlands currently operates six NASAMS units, having used the system since 2006, and these new acquisitions will allow for the modernization and expansion of the country’s ground-Based air defense capabilities.
The NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) is a medium- to long-range air defense system developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in collaboration with Raytheon. Initially introduced in Norway in 2015, NASAMS has since been adopted by several NATO and EU countries. Known for its integration with AMRAAM missiles, NASAMS is also compatible with a range of additional weapons, including L-70 guns, RBS 70, and HAWK missiles, as well as directed energy and long-range systems like the Patriot. NASAMS can identify, engage, and neutralize various airborne threats, including aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones, ensuring the protection of critical assets and urban centers. Its modular design includes a command center (FDC), an AN/MPQ64F1 Sentinel 3D radar, a passive electro-optical sensor, and multiple launchers equipped with AMRAAM missiles.
Derived from NASAMS technology, NOMADS complements the medium-range system by providing mobile forces, such as battalions and brigades, with extended air defense coverage at the front lines.
In addition to NASAMS, the CITADEL program incorporates NOMADS, a maneuverable air defense system tailored for mobile operations and specifically designed to safeguard land forces in contested environments. NOMADS consists of two launchers, each with two missiles, a 3D radar, and a KONGSBERG PROTECTOR remote weapon station, fully integrated with NASAMS and other NATO systems, allowing for autonomous and networked operations with multiple vehicles.