Poland’s weapons procurement agency has announced a deal worth $2 billion for the purchase of “several hundred” Naval Strike Missiles. Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak signed the contract, which includes two new naval missile units for the existing Naval Strike Missile anti-ship system. The deal will strengthen Poland’s coastal defense capabilities along the Baltic Sea. The contract was awarded to Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, and it includes the supply of command vehicles, missile launchers, and several hundred anti-ship NSM missiles. The contract stipulates that Polish defense companies will collaborate with Kongsberg in supplying the weapons. Deliveries are expected to take place between 2026 and 2032, making it the largest contract in Kongsberg’s history.
The Naval Strike Missile is an over-the-horizon missile with a range of over 185 kilometers (115 miles), capable of skimming the sea. This purchase comes as several countries in the region are enhancing their naval strike capabilities in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In May 2023, Latvia authorized the purchase of Naval Strike Missiles to strengthen its defense capabilities in the Baltic Sea.
This announcement was made during the MSPO defense industry show in Kielce, which runs from September 5 to 8. The Polish government’s decision to invest in these missiles underscores their commitment to bolstering their military capabilities and protecting their national security.