The Department of State has cleared Bulgaria’s request to purchase Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense System and related equipment for $620 million, with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace as the principal contractor.
The potential foreign military sale includes three Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Joint Tactical Radio Systems and tactical Naval Strike Missiles and inert NSM handling, telemetered NSM and NSM transport loading vehicles, among other non-major defense equipment items, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Monday.
What Is the Capability of the Naval Strike Missile?
Kongsberg built the NSM CDS as a high-performance ground-based precision strike surface-to-surface missile. It features a net-centric architecture that enables multiple simultaneous engagements and over-the-horizon targeting and is designed to be closely integrated and adapted to a country’s adjacent weapons and command and control systems.
The NSM CDS is composed of the following major items: the Fire Control Center, which provides fire control and battle management command, control, communication, and computers and information; the Naval Strike Missile Launcher fire unit, a canister-protected weapon platform equipped with the NSM missile; and a sea surveillance and tracking radar.
The primary missions for NSM CDS are maritime interdictions against sea targets from small and light ships made of glass fiber reinforced plastics to large naval combatants like destroyers and frigates and ships with thick hull like icebreakers, according to Kongsberg’s website, adding that the system’s land attack capability is primarily based on use of the military GPS, with seeker-assisted land attack capability also available upon request.
DCMA said the proposed sale will enable Bulgaria to deter adversaries and participate in NATO operations, supporting its goal of improving national and territorial defense and interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces.
