Royal Navy performs first NSM firing

HMS Somerset undertook the RN's first in-service firing of NSM at Norway's Andøya range in early September 2025. (Royal Navy/Crown Copyright)

The Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset has completed the first UK Royal Navy (RN) in-service firing of the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) surface-to-surface guided weapon.

Performed at the Andøya test range in northern Norway in early September, the NSM first-of-class firing was declared successful, according to an RN media statement issued on 29 September. NSM is being introduced to RN service under the Maritime Offensive Surface Strike (MOSS) programme to succeed the now-retired Harpoon Block 1C anti-ship missile.

Entering service with the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) in 2012, NSM was developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace to meet the RNoN's requirements for a highly autonomous, low-observable anti-ship guided weapon able to penetrate shipboard defences and operate effectively in both bluewater and littoral environments. Capable of ranges beyond 200 km, the missile marries an agile, stealthy, and sea-skimming air vehicle, using GPS-aided mid-course guidance, with an advanced dual-band imaging infrared (IIR) seeker and a semi-armour piercing warhead optimised for the anti-surface role.

Somerset undertook the NSM firing as part of Exercise ‘Aegir 25' at Andøya. ‘Aegir 25' also involved participation from the RNoN and the Polish Navy's Naval Missile Brigade.

The RN is receiving NSM under a government-to-government sales agreement signed with Norway in November 2022. Somerset is one of three Type 23s to have received NSM to date, the others being HMS Portland and HMS Richmond. A total of 11 RN ships – a mix of Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers – are planned to receive the NSM weapon system.