Spanish Navy shifts focus from Harpoon to Naval Strike Missile for S-80 submarines

Instead, the Navy is considering adopting the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) developed by Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. Already selected for Spain’s future F-100 frigates, the NSM is now being evaluated for use in its submarine-launched variant.

To this end, the Navy has tasked Navantia, a Spanish shipbuilding company, with conducting a technical study to integrate the NSM into the S-80 series submarines. This contract, valued at EUR 240,000, builds on an earlier allocation of nearly half a million euros for preliminary integration activities.

The Navy has clarified that the submarine-launched Harpoon and NSM missiles will not coexist on the S-80 submarines. “After verifying the pre-feasibility of integrating and launching the missile from an S-80 submarine while submerged, it is necessary to conduct a technical study that develops certain conceptual aspects of a technical, operational, logistical, industrial, and security nature,” the Navy explained.

The main goal of the study, it added, is to provide a conceptual framework for the proposed solution, assess associated risks, and inform decisions about the project’s formal initiation and industrial participation scheme.

The Navy highlighted that the primary reason for discontinuing the submarine-launched Harpoon missile acquisition is the U.S. Navy’s decision to end its support for the programme. “It has recently become known that the U.S. Navy will not continue with the submarine-launched Harpoon in any of its configurations or blocks,” it stated.

While the NSM is a strong contender, the Navy has clarified that it is not yet a definitive choice. The technical study will guide the final decision. “Among the missiles that best fit the needs of the Navy is the future version of the NSM missile launched from submarines,” the Navy concluded.

Source: infodefensa.com.