NASAMS might come to Finnmark Brigade

The NASAMS and NOMADS missile systems might become part of the Finnmark Brigade, the commander of a newly established combat air defence unit confirmed to the National Defence Magazine (Forsvarets Forum).

According to Commander Brede Brandskognes, new air defence systems will be incorporated into the unit in 2027. The systems will be based in Porsanger, about 200 km in air range from the border with Russia, but can be moved around the region as needed.

The new systems will significantly strengthen air defence in the strategically important Finnmark region.

"The new combat air defence battery in the Finnmark Brigade is set to have a layered air defence system within the next few years," Brandskognes explained to the National Defence Magazine.

The innermost layer of defence will be based on Piorun MANPADS, followed by C-UAS (an anti-drone system) and armoured air defence vehicles. Finally, there will be the medium-range missiles.

The Finnmark Brigade already has at its disposal the Piorun system, a Polish-made air defence weapon designed to shoot down helicopters, drones, and other airborne threats. The system was incorporated into the Ranger Battalion GSV, a unit based along the border with Russia, in 2024.

The Finnmark Brigade was officially established in 2025 as part of Norway’s defence structure. In a ceremony on 20 August 2026, the brigade was officially expanded with three new units: an artillery battalion, an air defence battery, and a signals company.

By 2033, the brigade is to be fully equipped.

Both the NASAMS and NOMADS systems have been developed by the Norwegian Kongsberg Group. The former is a mobile short- to medium-range system, while the latter is a short-range mobile ground-based air defence system. Both systems defend against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and all types of unmanned aerial vehicles, and have proven successful in halting Russian aggression in Ukraine.