HMS Portland Becomes Second Royal Navy Frigate Armed with Naval Strike Missiles.

According to information published by the UK MoD on December 17, 2024, HMS Portland, a Plymouth-based Type 23 frigate, has become the second Royal Navy warship to be equipped with the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), capable of neutralizing enemy vessels at ranges exceeding 100 miles.
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HMS Portland becomes the Royal Navy’s latest frigate equipped with advanced Naval Strike Missiles, ensuring superior long-range maritime defense. (Picture source: UK MoD)

This development follows the successful integration of the system on HMS Somerset, with plans for the rest of the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers to adopt the missile system soon.

The 400kg NSM replaces the now-retired Harpoon missile system, offering superior capabilities for modern maritime warfare. Designed for precision and survivability, the NSM travels at near-supersonic speeds while skimming the sea surface to evade detection, ensuring effective engagement of enemy ships at extended ranges. This missile, already in service with several allied navies, enhances the Royal Navy’s ability to counter emerging threats.

HMS Portland’s trials were conducted at a key naval base in Norway, with close cooperation between the Royal Navy, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, and the UK’s Defence Equipment & Support. Harbor and sea acceptance tests confirmed the seamless integration of the NSM with the frigate’s combat systems. High-speed maneuvers and telemetry trials ensured the missile could perform effectively even in challenging sea conditions.

HMS Portland is now poised for future deployments, with the NSM providing a vital capability to protect national interests and deter adversaries. The frigate will undergo a planned maintenance period before reloading the missiles for operational use in 2025.

The introduction of the NSM bridges the gap between the retired Harpoon system and the future offensive surface weapon currently under development. This next-generation missile will eventually become the Royal Navy’s premier long-range anti-ship weapon, to be deployed on the advanced Type 26 frigates now under construction.

Analysis

The Royal Navy's adoption of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) significantly bolsters its maritime strike capability, particularly in scenarios involving conflict with Russia.

Russia's naval capabilities, such as Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles, pose a formidable challenge in maritime conflicts. The NSM provides a decisive counter by enabling the Royal Navy to strike these high-value assets from beyond their effective defensive ranges. This is particularly critical given the increasing deployment of advanced Russian vessels in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions, where control over vital sea lanes is crucial.

The missile’s ability to engage both sea-based and land-based targets allows for strategic flexibility. It is especially effective in disrupting Russia's anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) systems, including Bastion-P missile batteries and coastal radar installations. These systems are often integrated into Russia’s broader defensive strategies in regions such as Crimea or the Baltic. The NSM’s combination of autonomous targeting, infrared imaging, and low observability ensures it can neutralize these threats with minimal risk of interception.