The Latvian Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Embassy in Latvia jointly announced a defense acquisition: the purchase of Naval Coastal Defense Missile Systems. The agreement, involving Norwegian company Kongsberg and American manufacturer Raytheon, was officially disclosed on December 8, 2023, by Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds and U.S. Ambassador Christopher Robinson.
The Naval Strike Missile (NSM), developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, features a key capability to operate at low altitudes, allowing it to evade enemy radars through a sea-skimming flight. This characteristic is vital for ensuring the missile’s survival to its target, especially in highly defended environments. Its ability to maintain a low profile significantly reduces its visibility to air defense systems, thereby increasing its chances of mission success.
The NSM can reach targets up to about 185 kilometers but one of its most interesting features is its advanced seeker head. Equipped with an active electronically scanned array radar, it can identify and discriminate targets with high precision. This technology allows it to conduct surgical strikes, reducing the risk of collateral damage and increasing mission effectiveness. Additionally, the missile is endowed with autonomous capabilities, enabling it to navigate to the target with minimal human intervention, which is crucial in combat environments where communication may be compromised.