In 1988, one could read in Stortingsmelding 58, approved on 3 June, that there was only one western missile system that could fully replace the area-wide NIKE system in terms of altitude coverage and range. The Patriot system. But that this would entail costs far in excess of what would be covered within the investment framework in question. No systems were thus acquired.

In 2016, long-range air defense was brought up to date again in Norway. According to the Long-Term Proposal (LTP, June), there was an ambition for procurement in the period 2022-2025. The new system was to be integrated with NASAMS II, and it was considered important that a modernized, developed and robust air defense structure was established when the F-35 aircraft are fully operational in 2025 at Ørland and Evenes air station.

Procurement of new long-range air defense is carried out in the period 2021–2024… It is important that a modernized, developed and robust air defense structure is established when the F-35 aircraft are fully operational in 2025 at Ørland and Evenes air station

– LTP, 2016

In March 2017, Sweden expressed a desire to start phasing in new air defense by 2020, and in the final phase of the tender process it was between the American Patriot and the European SAMP/T. The investment was initially estimated in the media at NOK 10-20 billion. In October, the suggestion was 30 billion. The American manufacturer claimed in 2017 to be able to deliver within the short deadline. A close industrial collaboration with Saab was also promised.

In Norway, the Ministry of Defense’s annual overview of possible and planned materiel investments was published in April 2017. Here, the mentioned ambition for long-range air defense from the LTP had the status of «possible project», with a cost estimate of 3-5 billion. The purpose of the procurement was to improve the capability for protection against modern weapon threats carried out through the air, and includes new sensors and missiles that add today’s air defense capability to long-range protection.

In November 2017, there was a press release from the Swedish Armed Forces that the choice had fallen on Patriot, with a renewed desire for phasing in from 2020 and with final deliveries by 2025. The Swedish authorities thus started negotiations with the manufacturer. At this time the extent of the trade was unclear, but initially at least one battery), with possible expansion to four.

Back in Norway, Parliamentary Bill 14S from 16 October 2020 stated that the existing NASAMS must be prioritized with new sensors and short-range missiles, rather than long-range air defenses, and the priority is explained by the fact that cruise missiles constitute the most demanding air threat for the country. While investment funds for long-range air defense were postponed until after 2028

… the current NASAMS systems will be upgraded from 2023 to 2029 with, among other things, modern sensors and short-range missiles. This is a necessary priority ahead of the planned introduction of long-range air defenses that was discussed in the previous long-term plan.

… cruise missiles constitute the most demanding air threat for Norway, and NASAMS constitutes an important element in the active countermeasures

– Parliamentary Bill 14S, 2020

In 2018, the Swedish authorities chose to acquire four batteries with Patriot. In December 2022, approximately four years after the order was placed and two years ahead of schedule, the last battery arrived in the country.