HMS Somerset sets sail from Devonport with Naval Strike Missiles on board.

According to information published by Navy Lookout on August 27, 2024, the Royal Navy's HMS Somerset departed from Devonport Naval Base, with an advanced suite of armaments on board. Notably, the Type 23 frigate has re-embarked Naval Strike Missiles (NSMs).
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Royal Navy's Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset . (Picture source: @TomLeachPhotos)

The re-embarkation of these missiles follows a comprehensive refit and life extension program that HMS Somerset underwent starting in 2018, which involved substantial structural and systems upgrades to ensure the frigate's operational readiness. This upgrade is part of the Royal Navy's broader initiative to replace the aging Harpoon anti-ship missiles, which have been in service for decades and are due to be retired​.

Naval Strike Missile vs Harpoon

The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and the Harpoon missile offer distinct approaches to anti-ship warfare, shaped by different technological generations and design philosophies.

The NSM, developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, is a modern, fifth-generation missile with advanced features suited for contemporary naval conflicts. It boasts a range exceeding 100 nautical miles and utilizes a sophisticated high-resolution infrared seeker for terminal guidance, enabling it to target specific parts of enemy ships with precision.

Its design emphasizes stealth, utilizing a low observable profile and a sea-skimming flight path to reduce detection by enemy radar. This, combined with its maneuverability and ability to execute terminal evasive maneuvers, makes it highly survivable against modern air defense systems. Additionally, the NSM's lighter weight allows it to be deployed on a variety of platforms, including smaller vessels and potentially even ground-based systems​.

In contrast, the Harpoon missile, first introduced in the 1970s, represents an older generation of anti-ship missile technology. The Harpoon is a subsonic, over-the-horizon missile that relies on an active radar seeker for terminal guidance, which, while effective, is more susceptible to detection and jamming compared to the NSM's infrared guidance.

Over its service life, the Harpoon has been continuously upgraded; the latest versions, like the Block II+, have enhanced GPS guidance and improved target selection capabilities. However, the Harpoon's range and subsonic speed are seen as limitations in the face of more advanced missile defenses. Its larger size and heavier warhead do provide substantial destructive power, but this also restricts its deployment to larger platforms such as destroyers, submarines, and certain aircraft​.