NASAMS Air Defense System with Indigenous Radar Reaches Trial Stage in Australia

The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) for the Australian Army has reached its trial and certification stage.

Qualification training is set to start soon after.

The Australian Army will operate an enhanced version of the Norwegian design, which includes Australian radar technology, a Hawkei-based launcher and infrared/optical sensor.

A mixture of AMRAAM or Sidewinder missiles can be loaded on a Hawkei high-mobility launcher; or MK II canister launcher, deployed from a HX77 heavy truck enabling mission flexibility with up to six missiles carried per platform.

Each troop will operate three canister or high-mobility launchers and the Army’s 110th Battery will be the first kitted out with NASAMS.

The regiment is expected to field two batteries once full operational capability is reached by 2026.

NASAMS is capable of operating independently, but will also be integrated with joint air-defense under the future Project AIR 6500, which will synchronize capabilities to provide layered air defense.