New MARS 3 Missile System Launches NSM Anti-Ship Missile for First Time

Norway has conducted the first live-fire test of the MARS 3 missile system with the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), marking a new capability for the platform.

Defense contractor KNDS said the test successfully demonstrated the system’s ability to strike naval targets.

The integration of the long-range NSM allows the MARS 3 system — formerly known as Euro-PULS — to enter the coastal defense market.

The system is platform-agnostic, capable of being mounted on various vehicles and configured to launch different types of munitions.

This modular approach positions MARS 3 between traditional rocket artillery and cruise missile systems, offering NATO forces greater operational flexibility.

In January 2025, the German Bundestag approved the purchase of the first batch of MARS 3 systems for the Bundeswehr.

Germany is purchasing five launchers for €65 million to replace the U.S.-made M270 MLRS, which were previously supplied to Ukraine.

MARS 3 can be equipped with rockets with ranges of 150 or 300 kilometers, as well as specialized munitions for deploying minefields.

The launcher is also compatible with drones and cruise missiles capable of striking targets up to 500 kilometers away.

The NSM used in the test is designed to strike both naval and land-based targets.

It measures 4 meters in length, weighs over 400 kilograms, and carries a 120-kilogram high-explosive, penetrating warhead.

In the terminal phase, the NSM uses an infrared seeker for guidance, relying on an onboard thermal image database to identify and strike targets with precision.