Kongsberg NSM launcher

The Polish Ministry of National Defence has awarded a $177m contract to Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace for the delivery of a naval strike missile (NSM) coastal defence system.

The agreement, which includes a squadron-size unit similar to the contract awarded in 2008, follows the successful delivery and acceptance of the first squadron.

Kongsberg president Harald Annestad said: "This agreement proves the leading position of NSM and our position as a reliable partner and supplier to Poland.

"Polish industry and Kongsberg successfully delivered the first NSM coastal defence squadron through a close cooperation with the Polish Government.

"With this contract we continue our ambition of involving even more Polish companies and expand our cooperation into a broader technological arena."

"This agreement proves the leading position of NSM and our position as a reliable partner and supplier to Poland."

As part of the contract, Polish subcontractors will be responsible for the provision of the radar and communications systems, and trucks carrying launch ramps.

The radar system deploys NSM alongside a command and weapon control system, which is the same as the NASAMS air defence system that is used by four Nato nations, including the US.

Specifically built for the Norwegian Navy, the fifth-generation strike missile accomplished its initial operational capability on the new Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates and Norwegian Skjold-class corvettes in 2012.

The US Navy recently assessed Kongsberg’s NSM on USS Coronado, its fourth littoral combat ship.


Image: Kongsberg’s NSM coastal defence system. Photo: courtesy of Kongsberg.