Denmark decided to order the longest-range available missiles AMRAAM-ER for leased and contracted NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems from Norway. Permission for their purchase was published by the U.S. Department of Defense Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
According to it, Denmark can count on 236 AMRAAM-ER missiles for $951 million, which is defined as the ceiling cost of this procurement.
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AMRAAM-ER launch from NASAMS / Open source photo
And this procurement is an excellent demonstration that in anti-aircraft missile systems, the cost of the SAM system itself is not the key line item in expenses. Because Denmark ordered an undisclosed quantity of NASAMS for $500 million.
Thus, the price of one AMRAAM-ER for Danes came out to $4.02 million per unit. At the same time, the final price in a firm contract may be lower, but not necessarily.
Note that AMRAAM-ER is the longest-range missile for NASAMS air defense system. Initially it was estimated that its range would be up to 40 km. But thanks to integrating solutions from AIM-120C-8 missile, it was increased to 60 km. The missile itself is a hybrid tail section, together with engine from naval RIM-162 ESSM and with head from AMRAAM.
Thus, Denmark should become the fifth operator of this missile, because before this time Hungary, Kuwait, Norway, and the Netherlands ordered it. At the same time, purchase permissions demonstrate that the price for it has actually not changed.
RIM-162 ESSM launch / Open source photo
For example, in June 2024, the Netherlands received permission for 174 AMRAAM-ER missiles with price tag of $678 million up to $3.9 million per unit. And last August, Norwegians in permission for 100 missiles received price per unit up to $4.05 million.
At the same time, for NASAMS it also makes sense to purchase less long-range but cheaper AIM-9X. Following the example of a contract for Poland for these missiles from November 2024, their price is $0.74 million per unit. And if Denmark decides to order these missiles in similar quantity, it will need to spend about another $175 million.
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