The Royal Navy has successfully test-fired a new long-range missile capable of destroying enemy warships more than 100 miles away while flying close to the speed of sound.
The landmark trial, codenamed Aegir 25, took place at the Andøya Rocket Range in Arctic Norway alongside NATO allies Poland and Norway. It marked the first time a Royal Navy warship has launched the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) – a state-of-the-art system designed to replace the ageing Harpoon missile currently carried by Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers.
Weighing in at 400kg, the NSM features advanced targeting systems that allow it to strike not only hostile ships but also land-based targets. The weapon skims close to the sea at near-supersonic speeds, making it harder to detect and intercept by enemy radar.
The first British firing came from frigate HMS Somerset, which has now joined HMS Richmond and HMS Portland as part of the fleet equipped with the missile. The system is already in use with the Norwegian, US and Polish navies.
Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, hailed the achievement:
“The Naval Strike Missile is one of the most advanced in our naval arsenal. It gives the Royal Navy and our allies an edge against our enemies. This milestone, achieved through our exemplary partnership with Norway, significantly enhances our maritime deterrent.”
Commander Matt Millyard, HMS Somerset’s commanding officer, praised his crew after months of preparation with engineers from Norwegian defence company Kongsberg, which manufactures the missile. “I am very proud of the team following the successful first-of-class firing of the Naval Strike Missile,” he said.
The programme has been fast-tracked, with the UK achieving its first ship installation within just 12 months of business case approval – described as an “unprecedented pace” for such a complex weapons system by Commander Matthew Cox, the UK’s NSM programme director.
Looking ahead, the NSM will be paired with the Royal Navy’s planned Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon, a larger next-generation missile designed for new platforms such as the Type 26 and Type 31 frigates. Together, the two systems are expected to restore long-range strike capability to the fleet.
