Poland orders two divisions of NSM coastal defense systems
6 September, 2023 Polish missile system with NSM missiles. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Poland At the MSPO International Defence Industry Exhibition, the Polish government signed an agreement to purchase two divisions of NSM coastal defense systems.
The Polish defense publication Defence24 reported on this. The agreement with Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace provides for the purchase of launchers, command post vehicles, and several hundred NSM anti-ship missiles. The new contract will equip two new Naval Missile Units, which will cost Poland almost £2 billion.
As a result, Poland will be able to reliably protect the Baltic Sea coast and expand its capabilities in conducting long-range strikes against ground targets. Poland had previously purchased two Coastal Missile Squadron systems (NDR). The first NDR was purchased in 2008 and delivered in 2012, while the second one - for PLN 800 million - was ordered in 2014 and delivered in 2017.
Vehicles of the missile system of the Polish Navy in Poland.
Photo credits: Maria Tokke/Kaitsevae Peastaap
The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is an anti-ship medium-range missile developed and designed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace. The NSM is a subsonic anti-ship missile capable of hitting surface and ground targets. The missile, being 4 m in length and weighing over 400 kg, is equipped with a modern target recognition system.
The weight of the combined warhead is 120 kg. Control of the marching part of the flight is conducted using an inertial system with the correction of GPS system signals. The missile is equipped with an infrared homing head that has its own target database.
This allows missiles to recognize specific types of targets and select the correct one. The missile is equipped with a TRI-40 turbojet engine and a solid rocket booster. The maximum launch range exceeds 250 km.
Naval Strike Missile launch from a land-based launcher.
Photo credits: Kongsberg
The Polish self-propelled launcher, the command post, and other vehicles of the system are mounted on the chassis of the Polish Jelcz 8x8 truck.