First British frigate armed with NSM missiles instead of Harpoon
The first Royal Navy warship to receive Norwegian NSM anti-ship missiles became the HMS Somerset (F 82) Type 23 frigate. The new cruise missiles are replacing the American Harpoon, which used to be the basis of anti-ship weapons in frigates of this type. Photos of the installation of the launcher were published on the page of the frigate HMS Somerset on Twitter.
In November 2022, the UK and Norway agreed to arm the ships of the British fleet with Norwegian NSM anti-ship missiles.
Installation of the NSM anti-ship missile launcher on the HMS Somerset frigate. January 2023. Photo credits: Twitter/HMS Somerset
The countries are to install these missiles on 11 Type 23 project frigates and Type 45 destroyers.
The arrangement stipulates that the first NSM anti-ship complexes must be installed on three British ships within the next 12 months.
Installation of the NSM anti-ship missile launcher on the HMS Somerset frigate. January 2023. Photo credits: Twitter/HMS Somerset
The work will be carried out at Babcock shipyard with the participation of the BAE concern and the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace, which manufactures this weapon.
Type 23 frigates are designed to carry out anti-submarine missions, the ship is equipped with Sea Wolf anti-aircraft missiles and their basic version - Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
HMS Somerset (F82) frigate. Photo credits: British Navy
The warship is equipped with a sonar for detecting submarines and a helicopter, and her armament includes torpedoes and depth charges. This allows her to fight against submarines.
The ship has a highly sensitive radar complex, allowing aircraft and missiles to be tracked at distances of up to 120 miles depending on the type, as well as an air defense system with a range of more than 20 miles.
Norwegian NSM cruise missile. Photo credits: Kongsberg
Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is a subsonic anti-ship missile that is capable of striking surface and ground targets. The missile with a length of 4 m and a mass of 410 kg is furnished with a modern target recognition system.
Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) anti-ship missile.
Photo credits: Kongsberg
The NSM missile is equipped with a TRI-40 march turbojet engine and a solid fuel booster.
The maximum launch range is more than 185 km, and the mass of the high-explosive warhead is 120 kg.
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