Significant financial support for the purchase of anti-ship missile systems is being provided by the United States. Given that the Naval Strike Missile anti-ship missile system will be a completely new capability for the National Armed Forces, the US plans to provide support in training soldiers to use and maintain the systems as well.
"The acquisition of this missile system marks the transition of the armed forces to new defensive capabilities with greater firepower and target destruction radius, and it will significantly strengthen the defense of Latvia's coast," said Minister of Defense Ināra Mūrniece.
The Naval Strike Missile system is described as a flexible anti-ship missile system, able to strike both sea and land targets at a distance of up to 185 kilometers. The missile system is already in service with NATO members including the US, Poland, Germany, Norway, Romania, Great Britain, Canada and the Netherlands.
Naval Strike Missile anti-ship missile systems are planned to be delivered after 2025. The purchase price was not disclosed.
According to the manufacturer, "The NSM is a very flexible system, which can be launched from a variety of platforms against a variety of targets on sea and land. The airframe design and the high thrust to weight ratio give the NSM extremely good manoeuvrability. The missile is completely passive, has proven its excellent sea-skimming capabilities and with its advanced terminal manoeuvres, it will survive the enemy air defences. The Autonomous Target Recognition (ATR) of the seeker ensures that the correct target is detected, recognized and hit, at sea or on land."
You can read the various technical specifications of the missile system in this brochure.
