On September 5, during the MSPO trade fair in Kielce, the Polish Ministry of Defence concluded an agreement to acquire two new Maritime Missile Unit (MJR – Morska Jednostka Rakietowa) squadrons for the Polish Navy.
The contract, concluded between the Armament Agency of Polish MoD and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, is for the supply of Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense System (NSM CDS) components for the formation of two new MJR squadrons for the Polish Navy. The contract was worth approx. PLN 8 billion gross (EUR 1.8 billion). The contract includes the delivery of “several hundred” NSM missiles, command vehicles, launchers and other vehicles. Deliveries will be made between 2026 and 2032. As part of the contract, Kongsberg will provide training and technical support, including simulators, to enable Polish personnel to conduct maintenance services in Poland. The contract is dependent on approved export financing. The financing is expected to be finalized within a few weeks. This deal is the largest single contract in the history of Kongsberg.
The MJR consists of two squadrons. Each squadron includes two batteries of three MLVs – Missile Launch Vehicles (a total of 24 NSMs per squadron). To date, Poland has purchased 74 NSM Block 1, which uses a jet propulsion that provides high subsonic speed and a range of “over 150 km”. To the target, the missile goes according to the indications of the inertial navigation system and GPS corrections, while during the target acquisition and attack phase, the guiding system uses an IR camera to identify the object of attack. The NSM can engage surface ships, and land targets with a known location.
NSM Block 1A and new consoles
The current contract certainly includes a much larger number of missiles. In addition, they will be NSM missiles in the latest Block 1A version. The differences are mainly obsolescence upgrades and increased capabilities in range (increase to more than 250 km), additional capabilities and optimisation in mission planning. Additionally, new functionality was incorporated into the target seeker, including seeker assisted target recognition also for land targets.
The NSM CDS is using NASAMS command and control with NSM control functionality. All C2 vehicles will be equipped with latest Coastal Defence Console (CDC; derivative of the 212CD submarine consoles made by the kta Naval Systems). The console has two operator positions, each includes one visual 32” 4K tactical control screen, side panels, keyboard, etc. The CDC has one centre screen to provide the operators with the NSM CDS shared systems Status Picture. In addition, the use of the Link 16 tactical data link and the Joint Range Extension Application Protocol (JREAP-C) will ensure interoperability between all-new and currently used structures.
Polish industry will contribute to significant parts of the scope, including the communication system, vehicles (Jelcz chassis) and part of the command and control system, as well as taking part in system integration activities. To date, Polish industry’s participation in the creation of the MJR system has exceeded 50% of the value of contracts.
Such a large contract for the new NSM Block 1A may be confirming rumors of the planned sale of one battery from the old MJR to Ukraine. In this situation, the Polish Navy will not be weakened by the transfer of some armaments to the belligerent Ukraine, and will even be strengthened with more modern missiles.
