Germany and Norway Collaborate on New Supersonic Missile.

The German parliament has approved funding for the development of a new supersonic anti-ship missile in collaboration with Norway. On June 26, the Bundestag's budget committee authorized a funding share of 650 million euros for the Supersonic Strike Missile (3SM) program, named "Tyrfing" after a mythical Norse sword. This initiative aims to create a missile capable of reaching speeds between Mach 2 and 3, with a range of 800 to 1,000 kilometers. The development is expected to be completed by 2033, with the missile operational by 2035.
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The 3SM Tyrfing aims to be a pioneering Western anti-ship missile with both supersonic speed and long-range capabilities, addressing a gap typically filled by Soviet and modern Russian, Indian, and Chinese missiles (Picture source: Kongsberg)

The project will be led by Norway's Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, known for its Naval Strike Missile (NSM). German companies Diehl Defence and MBDA Germany will play significant roles in the development.

The German government has allocated initial funding through the "Sondervermögen," a special fund created in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, covering expenses until 2027. Post-2027, the regular German defense budget will finance the program.

The 3SM Tyrfing aims to be a pioneering Western anti-ship missile with both supersonic speed and long-range capabilities, addressing a gap typically filled by Soviet and modern Russian, Indian, and Chinese missiles. The missile will feature advanced sensors for all-weather capability, a robust data link for mission control, and a selectable-yield warhead to minimize collateral damage. The Tyrfing will target both naval and land objectives, enhancing its versatility and strategic value.

The 3SM project follows previous, unfulfilled attempts by Western nations to develop supersonic anti-ship missiles. The Franco-British "Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon" (FC/ASW) program, for instance, aims to develop a supersonic missile and a stealth subsonic missile by the early 2030s.

If successful, the 3SM Tyrfing will be a significant milestone in Western missile technology, offering both land and naval attack capabilities in a single design.