The stealthy missile designed to hunt targets in both blue and brown waters

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Developed by Norway's Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is a sophisticated anti-ship and land-attack weapon. Using composite materials for stealth and an imaging infrared seeker, it can navigate complex environments to strike targets with high precision, even when performing unpredictable maneuvers in its final approach.

The NSM, designated RGM-184A in U.S. service, is a multi-role munition designed for versatility across different maritime environments. It is capable of operating in 'blue water' (open sea), 'green water' (coastal), and 'brown water' (littoral) scenarios. To achieve this, the missile utilizes a combination of GPS, inertial, and terrain-contour matching (TERCOM) systems for navigation. Once it identifies a target via its imaging infrared (IIR) seeker and an onboard database, it can fly in sea-skim mode or fly over landmasses, performing random maneuvers in its terminal phase to evade countermeasures.

The missile's propulsion begins with a solid rocket booster that is jettisoned after burnout, leaving a turbojet sustainer engine to propel the unit at high subsonic speeds. It carries a 125 kg multi-purpose blast/fragmentation warhead, which is designed to optimize impact against hard targets, such as a ship's waterline. The missile weighs slightly more than 400 kg and has a range exceeding 185 km.

The geopolitical landscape surrounding the NSM has seen significant shifts. While many nations, including the United States, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom, have adopted the system, Malaysia faced a major setback. Despite having paid 95% of a US$145 million contract, Malaysia was excluded after Norway unilaterally revoked export approvals, citing restrictions to allies and close partners. It is reported that US-manufactured parts, including the gyroscope within the guidance system, might have triggered the cancellation.

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