Overview

• HMS Somerset conducted the first Royal Navy shipboard launch of the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile off Norway’s Andøya range during the multinational Aegir 25 exercise with Norwegian and Polish forces.
• Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace personnel were embarked on Somerset to support installation, checks and the live firing.
• The 400kg NSM can strike ships or land targets at more than 100 miles, flies sea-skimming profiles, and travels at near‑Mach 1, offering a step up from legacy Harpoon systems.
• NSM canisters are already fitted to HMS Somerset, HMS Richmond and HMS Portland, with additional Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers slated for rollout.
• UK minister Luke Pollard called the milestone a boost to maritime deterrence and said NSM will complement the future Cruise Anti‑Ship Weapon on Mk41‑equipped Type 26 and Type 31 frigates.