The first shipment of Mk 2 Canister Launchers for the NASAMS air defense system has arrived in Australia.

The relevant statement was made by Kongsberg Defense Australia.

Kongsberg Defence Australia (KDAu) announced about this important milestone after the components arrived in Australia from Norwegian Kongsberg facilities.

On June 20, 2019, Kongsberg signed a contract with Raytheon Australia to supply NASAMS components.

Raytheon Australia is the general contractor for NASAMS supply for the Australian Government’s Land 19 Phase 7B program.

The Government of Australia, Raytheon Australia and Kongsberg announced the approval of the program on March 25, 2019 at a ceremony at the new Raytheon Australia Joint Integration Center which is to be built in Adelaide, Australia.

Kongsberg Vice President Leif Roar Olsen said:

“NASAMS Mark 2 launchers will allow them to use different versions of AMRAAM missiles, as well as the AIM-9X Block 2 missile.”

It is important to note that the Mk 2 Canister Launcher, which will be provided to the Australian Army as part of NASAMS, is the state-of-the art configuration of the launcher.

The Mk 2 Canister Launcher is the latest launcher standard and includes a new common ground launcher that allows several types of missiles to be used.

These Canister Launchers are now being painted by South Australian supplier, Defence Coating Systems, whilst KDAu conducts final Factory Acceptance Testing and support to system level NASAMS testing activities.

The system is produced jointly by Kongsberg and Raytheon and is in service or delivered to 12 countries. Raytheon is responsible for supplying its advanced AMRAAM missiles for this system, and Kongsberg supplies the launchers.