Poland orders hundreds of naval strike missiles from Norway in $2 billion deal

Europe, News September 8, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Poland’s Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak signed a $2 billion deal with Norwegian company Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace to purchase “several hundred” Naval Strike Missiles (NSM). The deal was signed at the International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in southern Poland.

According to the deal, Kongsberg will also provide command vehicles, missile launchers, and simulators to the Polish armed forces along with the naval strike missiles. The deliveries are expected to start by 2026. The deal is another step in Warsaw’s efforts to boost its anti-ship missile capabilities.

Polish defense minister announced the deal through Twitter without specifying the number of missiles. The Norwegian firm stated that it is proud and ready to support Warsaw in defending its territory and citizens.

Kongsberg president Eirik Lie said in a statement that the defense firm’s recent agreement with Poland is the largest single contract it received in the company’s history.

Eirik Lie highlighted that “The determination demonstrated by the Polish Ministry of National Defense to acquire more NSM is a sign of trust and confirms that our system represents the most effective capability available.”

*^{Naval Strike Missile (NSM) anti-ship missile system. (Image Credit: Kongsberg)}*

Additionally, Poland also signed an agreement to purchase 12 Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensors (LTAMDS) and 48 Patriot surface-to-air missile launchers from the U.S. If the deal goes through, Poland would become the first international customer for Raytheon’s LTAMDS.

Kongsberg’s NSM

Norway’s NSM is a sea-skimming, over-the-horizon missile capable of striking targets more than 185 kilometers away. The missiles are currently used by at least 12 different militaries in the world, with Poland being one of them.

The U.S. Navy also uses a variant of Kongsberg’s NSM developed locally in collaboration with the U.S. defense manufacturer Raytheon Technologies.

Earlier this year, in May 2023, Latvia’s government also voted to authorize the purchase of Naval Strike Missiles to bolster its Baltic Sea defense capabilities.

*^{Norwegian Kongsberg Defence company’s Naval Strike Missile. (Image Credit: Kongsberg)}*

Poland’s increasing military spending

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Poland has increased its defense spending. Poland shares borders not just with Ukraine and Belarus, but also with Russia’s semi-exclave of Kaliningrad. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Warsaw has ramped up its military acquisitions while supplying crucial weapons to Ukraine for its defense. Poland has also signed multi-billion dollar deals with the U.S., South Korea, and other countries to acquire new tanks, missiles, and fighter jets.

Poland has been one of the most vocal supporters of Ukraine after Moscow’s invasion. The European country has created a tank coalition and is actively participating in arranging fighter jets for Ukraine. Poland has also provided Ukraine with missiles, drones, tanks, ammunition, and humanitarian aid, as well as called for additional international sanctions against Russia.

Last month, Poland announced its plans to deploy up to 10,000 additional soldiers to the Belarus border to support the border guard forces amid growing threats from Russia’s Wagner mercenaries in Belarus.

Poland is increasingly concerned about the border crossing issue as Belarus conducted military exercises near the border with Poland. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly stated that he was restraining Wagner mercenaries who want to attack Poland. Russia’s Wagner group fighters arrived in Belarus last month at the invitation of the Belarusian president.