Denmark orders more NSMs for frigates, coastal defence systems
Naval Strike Missile in flight over the sea. Denmark is acquiring additional missiles for its frigates and coastal defence system. Image taken from a 19 October 2026 Danish Ministry of Defence Materiel and Procurement Agency press release. (Kongsberg)
The Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) has ordered additional Naval Strike Missiles (NSMs) from Kongsberg under Denmark's bilateral procurement framework with Norway, FMI announced on 19 October 2026.
NSM is a surface-to-surface, high-subsonic, sea-skimming, long-range precision strike missile built by the Norwegian-based company Kongsberg. The missiles are primarily used against land and sea targets. An NSM is 3.96 m long, weighs 407 kg, and a range exceeding 300 km (162 n miles, according to Kongsberg. The follow-on order is worth approximately NOK400 million (USD42.5 million), the company added.
Denmark announced its initial acquisition of NSMs through a bilateral procurement agreement with Norway on 6 March 2025. The NSMs are intended to replace the Harpoon capability that Denmark transferred to Ukraine. According to the US Navy, Harpoon entered service in 1977 and uses active radar homing for terminal guidance. Kongsberg said that NSM instead combines an imaging infrared seeker and autonomous target recognition with a low-observable airframe.
The agreement with Norway earmarked Danish NSMs for the Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates. However, on 17 December 2025 the FMI announced the acquisition of NSM coastal missile defence systems (CMDS) but it did not disclose the number of batteries. This complementary land-based system is intended to help Denmark control maritime access to strategically important areas, including the Danish Straits and the western Baltic Sea.
Go beyond the headlines - with direct links to interconnected entities
Get full access to validated equipment, military capabilities, and market insights.
