Bulgaria Chooses Coastal Defense System with NSM Missiles

The US State Department has approved the possible sale of the NSM CDS anti-ship missile system to Bulgaria.

The Office of Defense Cooperation and Security of the US Department of Defense announced this on July 21.

The total cost of the potential sale of the system and missiles is estimated at $620 million.

The list of equipment that can be supplied includes Naval Strike Missile (NSM) anti-ship missiles, training missiles, mobile control centers with appropriate communication equipment, mobile missile launchers, and transport and loading vehicles.

In addition, technical publications, training documentation, support equipment, spare parts, training, simulators, and integration services, as well as technical assistance and other related logistics and program support elements.

The main contractor for the potential supply of the NSM Coastal Defense System will be the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace.

It is noted that the proposed sale will increase Bulgaria’s ability to confront current and future threats, providing a credible force capable of deterring adversaries and participating in NATO operations.

The U.S. Department of Defense and Norwegian company Kongsberg previously signed a multi-year agreement for the supply of Naval Strike Missiles (NSM).

NSM missile

The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is an anti-ship cruise missile developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace.

The NSM is a subsonic missile capable of engaging surface and ground targets. It is 4 meters long and weighs over 400 kg, and is equipped with a 120 kg high explosive warhead.

The missile is controlled during the flight’s marching section by an inertial system with GPS signal correction. During the final part of the flight, the NSM is guided by a target recognition system with an infrared homing head that has its own database of thermal prints of targets.

Thanks to this, it is able to recognize specific types of targets and select the right one.