Australian authorities have approved a plan to purchase Naval Strike Missiles from Kongsberg to replace the current Harpoon missiles on Hobart-class destroyers and Anzac-class destroyers.
The Australian Government has approved the rapid acquisition of improved weapons capabilities for the Australian Defense Force (ADF) at a total cost of $3.5 billion, including Naval Strike Missiles (NSMs) for ships. surface team of the Royal Australian Navy.
The purchase of Kongsberg NSM to replace the Harpoon anti-ship missile on ANZAC-class frigates and Hobart-class destroyers significantly enhances Australia’s maritime strike capability – more than double the current sea strike range. of our frigates and destroyers.
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Commencing service in 2024, ANZAC-class frigates and Hobart-class destroyers will be fitted with NSM capabilities.
The government press release says the combination of the NSM and the previously announced Tomahawk Cruise Missile is the best combination in terms of ability to meet Australia’s needs and has proven to be of service. to our key alliance partner, the United States.
Kongsberg said the Navy Strike Missile is a fifth-generation missile with low radar signature for use in sea-to-sea or surface-to-surface defense. With outstanding features, the missile can hit well-protected targets with the ability to penetrate the most advanced air defense systems.
The NSM is set up with built-in sensors to precisely locate targets that need engagement and will self-destruct if it cannot locate the intended target – a built-in safety mechanism to avoid damage .
