Naval Strike Missile

The Naval Strike Missile is a modern Norwegian anti-ship missile developed by Kongsberg and adopted by several allied navies. Its importance increased when the U.S. Navy selected it for over-the-horizon requirements on littoral combat ships and future frigates. This made NSM a prominent example of allied missile integration.

NSM capability is built around survivable maritime attack: low-altitude flight, advanced guidance and launch flexibility. Kongsberg’s coastal-defense material also highlights land-attack capability options. That makes the missile relevant not only for ship killing, but for distributed coastal defense and littoral deterrence.

NSM matters because it sits at the center of a generational anti-ship missile transition. Older weapons such as Harpoon remain useful, but navies increasingly want missiles with better survivability, seekers and launch flexibility. NSM’s adoption by the U.S. and allies gives it strategic significance beyond Norway.