Latvian Ministry of Defence reports that on Tuesday, the 2nd of May, the Cabinet of Ministers supported the proposal to purchase Naval Strike Missile system. This Norwegian weapon “can find its target on its own”.
“The purchase of this system marks the transition of our armed forces to new defensive capabilities with higher firepower and target destruction radius, which will significantly increase defence of Latvia’s coast line,” said Minister of Defence Ināra Mūrniece.
The US provides considerable financial assistance for the purchase of anti-ship missile systems.
Because Naval Strike Missile anti-ship system will be a brand new addition to Latvian National Armed Forces, US has plans to provide support in training troops in the use and maintenance of this system. The price of a single – up to 400 kg heavy and up to 4 m long missile armed with a 120 kg warhead – is approximately EUR 2 million (2021).
Naval Strike Missile is a flexible anti-ship missile system. It can attack both naval and land targets up to 185 km away. Multiple NATO member states have this system in use – US, Poland, Germany, Norway, Romania, Britain, Canada and Holland. Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia have decided to purchase it as well.
It is planned for the missile system to be delivered to Latvia after 2025.
Also read: Fuel depot caught fire near the bridge to Crimea