Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:08:39-1:08:57

The case for Naval Strike Missile

Naval Strike Missile is favoured as a modern anti-ship weapon that could end the Royal Navy's fitted-for-but-without gap.

Anti-Ship MissilesNaval Strike MissileRoyal NavyType 45 Destroyer
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Question

Why favor Naval Strike Missile for Royal Navy surface ships?

Short answer

It offers a tested, affordable, long-range anti-ship capability suited to cold operating areas.

Notes

Six Type 45 destroyers shared four inherited Harpoon launcher sets from the final Type 22 frigates. That arrangement left part of the surface fleet fitted for an anti-ship weapon without consistently carrying one. A fleet-wide purchase of the Norwegian Naval Strike Missile is proposed as a practical replacement. The case combines cost and range with extensive cold-weather testing relevant to the North Atlantic and Falkland operating environments.