Spain has placed a €410m ($444m) order with Kongsberg for new NASAMS in a bid to modernise the Spanish Armed Forces air defences, the Norway-based arms manufacturer announced on 29 May 2024.

NASAMS are a leading medium-range air defence system that is jointly offered by Raytheon as well as Kongsberg. 

Spain has operated NASAMS for more than 20 years and was the first international user of the NASAMS system. The nation has NASAMS units deployed as part of Nato’s Air Shielding Mission in the Baltic region, acting as a deterrent and effective defence against air-space encroachment by hostile actors. 

The decision to modernise Spain’s air defence systems came in April 2024. According to the GlobalData report 'Spain’s Defense Market 2023-2028' Spain has been in possession of four active NASAMS units since 2003.

Tom Laliberty, president of land and air defence systems at Raytheon noted Spain’s status as one of the earliest adopters of the NASAMS, and its reliance on the technology for defence against current and future threats. “Through this contract, Spain will enhance its existing air defence capabilities, while contributing to collective European security.”

Speaking of the contract to modernise Spain’s air defences, Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace said: “We are delighted to strengthen the long-standing relationship with the Spanish Army and the Spanish Air and Space Force through deliveries that will significantly increase the existing NASAMS capability of Spain and further strengthen the cooperation between Spain and Norway.”

Since April 2023, Spanish troops have operated a NASAMS on a deployment to Latvia, where more than 100 Spanish soldiers are based at Lielvarde Air Base as part of Nato’s Air Shielding Mission.

The NASAMS systems contribute to Latvia’s medium-range air defences, adding the capability to detect and engage with a diverse array of threats that include aircraft, missiles, and drones.