United States approves the sale of Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense Systems to Romania.

According to a press release published on October 16, 2020, the United States State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Romania of Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Coastal Defense Systems (CDS) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $300 million.
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The U.S. Army fires a Naval Strike Missile from a Palletized Load System truck, hitting a decommissioned ship at sea, 63 miles north of Kauai, in July 2018 as part of the monthlong Rim of the Pacific Exercise. (Picture source David Hogan/AMRDEC WDI)

The Government of Romania has requested to buy two (2) Coastal Defense Systems (CDS) consisting of: up to ten (10) Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System - Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS-JTRS). Also included are two Coastal Defense System Fire Distribution Centers; four Mobile Launch Vehicles; Transport Loading Vehicles; Naval Strike Missiles; non-operational Inert Handling/Loading Missile (IHM) to support missile handling and loading/unloading; training missile and equipment spares; associated containers; training and training equipment; publications and technical documentation; spares parts; loading and mobile maintenance support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $300 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO Ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale will enhance U.S. national security objectives in the region.

The proposed sale will improve Romania’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving Romania’s maritime defense capabilities in the Black Sea and increasing interoperability with the United States. Romania will use this long-range, precision strike weapon to enhance mission effectiveness, survivability, and NATO interoperability in current and future missions and operations. Romania will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces.

The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is an anti-ship missile system developed by the Norway-based company Kongsberg Defence Systems and American company Raytheon. The American company Raytheon builds launchers for the Naval Strike Missile in the United States and is using its extensive supply base to build the missile and other components in the U.S. as well.

The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is a long-range, precision strike weapon that seeks and destroys enemy ships at distances greater than 100 nautical miles (185 km).

The Naval Strike Missile eludes enemy radar and defense systems by performing evasive maneuvers and flying at sea-skimming altitude. NSM uses an advanced seeker for precise targeting and carries a 500-pound class warhead with a programmable fuze.

Citing the Naval-Technology website, the NSM can be fired from a range of platforms against a variety of targets. The passive homing missile travels in sea-skimming mode and can make advanced terminal maneuvers in the terminal phase, to survive enemy air defenses.

The missile, using GPS-aided mid-course guidance with a dual-band imaging infrared (IIR) seeker, detects and discriminates the targets. Autonomous target recognition (ATR) of the seeker ensures accurate detection and striking of sea or land-based targets. A programmable fuse is used to detonate the missile’s warhead.

In 2018, the Navy selected the Naval Strike Missile for its over-the-horizon defense of littoral combat ships and future frigates. The USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) launched NSM in 2019 during Pacific Griffin, a biennial exercise conducted near Guam.