Norway and Germany have signed a partnership agreement for the maintenance of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) produced by Norwegian defense company Kongsberg.
The partnership was officially established in Luxembourg through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
The initiative aims to improve cost efficiency and ensure long-term sustainability in NSM maintenance.
Norway’s government highlighted that a joint maintenance program through NSPA provides advantages for spare parts procurement, configuration management, and data sharing.
Additionally, the partnership is open to other nations that have acquired or plan to acquire the missile system.
“There is great interest from several nations that want to become part of the partnership. Initially, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and the UK,” stated the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency.
Features
Kongsberg’s NSM is capable of approaching targets from over land or sea, including those near shorelines.
The missile features autonomous target recognition and operates at high subsonic speeds.
It weighs 407 kilograms (897 pounds), is 3.96 meters (13 feet) long, and has a range of over 100 nautical miles (161 miles/185 kilometers).
Naval Strike Missile Collaborations
Norway and Germany have joined forces to enhance the NSM, working together on upgraded versions that push the system’s capabilities even further.
In 2023, Oslo revealed plans to develop a next-generation naval strike missile in partnership with Berlin.
Kongsberg is leading the development of the system, dubbed the Supersonic Strike Missile Tyrfing, which is expected to be operational by 2035.
Earlier in 2021, Germany placed an order with Kongsberg for NSM Block 1A anti-ship guided missiles to equip its Class 124, 125, and 126 frigates.
