US Navy has contracted Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace for $45.5 million to deliver the Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense System to Latvia.
The contract, issued under the Foreign Military Sales framework, includes optional clauses that could increase its total value to $56.3 million. The bulk of production and development is scheduled to occur in Kongsberg, with the project expected to finish by July 2030, or as late as November 2031 if all options are exercised.
This award follows a $105-million deal signed in 2023 between the US and Latvia, with the US covering 70 percent of the cost. The procurement supports recent changes to Latvia’s Law on Financing National Defense, aiming to enhance coastal, air, and artillery defense capabilities.
The system consists of an advanced fire control center (FCC), missile launch units, and an integrated maritime surveillance radar. The FCC manages command, control, communications, and battle operations through a unified network.
Up to four FCCs can be networked together to create a single maritime operational picture, improving real-time situational awareness. Each FCC can control the launch of up to 12 missiles, targeting multiple threats simultaneously or concentrating fire on a single target.
The Naval Strike Missile can engage both sea and land targets beyond 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers). It carries a 226-kilogram warhead and utilizes sea-skimming flight with advanced terminal maneuvers for maximum effectiveness.
