Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has entered into a significant partnership with the Danish government, finalizing a contract worth over 100 million euros (approximately $117 million) for the procurement of the Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System (NSM CDS). This acquisition is expected to bolster Denmark’s military capabilities, particularly in controlling access to vital maritime routes such as the Danish Straits and the western Baltic Sea.
The decision to enhance Denmark’s coastal defense capabilities was strongly supported by the Danish Chief of Defence, General Michael Wiggers Hyldgaard. He recommended moving forward with the NSM CDS to address modern naval challenges and improve Denmark’s combat readiness. According to Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, the NSM CDS will enable Denmark to effectively counter land-based naval threats and increase operational capabilities across significant maritime areas.
The NSM CDS is designed with advanced technology, incorporating Kongsberg’s sophisticated fire control system along with the potent Naval Strike Missile and specialized launch units. Notably, the missile is capable of targeting both land and sea assets, sporting a formidable range of over 100 nautical miles (approximately 185 kilometers or 161 miles).
Historically, Denmark had relied on coastal anti-ship missile systems until 2003 when their previous mobile coastal base unit was decommissioned. The earlier defense systems included Harpoon batteries, which had been mounted on 4-axle Scania trucks and provided with two quadruple launchers sourced from Peder Skram-class frigates. In a demonstration of international support, one of the decommissioned batteries was donated to Ukraine in 2022 to help bolster its defenses against the ongoing Russian invasion.
With this latest acquisition, Denmark will join the ranks of other NATO nations utilizing the NSM CDS, including Poland, the United States, Romania, and Latvia. This move underscores Denmark’s commitment to enhancing its coastal defense strategy while contributing to regional security in Europe.
