Kongsberg NSMs to replace Harpoon IIs in the Spanish fleet

There has also been little-to-no information released on the value of the new contract, given that it is unclear how many Harpoon missiles are currently in Spanish hands. However, according to Defense News, sources in the industry estimate that the Spanish Navy would likely need around three dozen (36) missiles to replace existing stockpiles. If true, this would value the new contract at around $36 million. But, this is complicated by the fact that Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov claimed that Madrid had provided Kyiv with an undisclosed number of Harpoon missiles in April of 2023.

The 897-pound (407 kg), 156-inch (3.96m) long NSM missiles have been specifically designed to seek and destroy naval and land-based targets at distances in excess of 115 nautical miles at "high subsonic" speeds.

This is roughly one-third greater than Spain's existing stockpile of Harpoon missiles. The missiles are also able to fly just above sea level (to evade defense systems) and rely on GPS, terrain-reference sensors (like infrared homing), and inertial data to guide the warhead to their intended targets.

As for the missiles they are replacing, Harpoon IIs were first installed on Spanish F-30 Descubierta-class corvettes built for the Spanish Navy in the late 1970s. The F-100 Álvaro de Bazán-class frigates also come equipped with two four-celled anti-ship missiles, while the F-80 Santa María-class frigates boast a single-armed Mk13 missile launcher capable of holding eight Harpoon missiles.

Outside of the Navy, The Spanish Air Force utilizes Harpoon missiles on their F-18 Hornets, specifically the AGM-84 variant for aircraft. During air-to-surface operations, the missile is launched and autonomously flies toward the designated target area. It then activates its own search sensor to locate and destroy the target without requiring further action from the launcher.

With the deliveries in 2027, Madrid will become the ninth operator of the NSM, with it currently being used by several other countries, including Norway, Poland, Germany, Canada, Australia, the United States, and Romania.