The Royal Navy's Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset's RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles have been replaced with NSM cruise missiles. The replacement of Harpoons was spotted in a post made by the HMS Somerset's official X account, providing photos from/of the frigate frequently.
In addition to advantages over Harpoon in anti-surface warfare, including an EO/IR seeker with better discrimination, low-observable form, and delayed warhead fuse, NSM has also added land attack capability from varying ranges depending on flight path thanks to its seeker allowing the missile to find land targets. The U.K. has previously put several options in place to provide its warships with land attack capability, including UGM-109 Tomahawk (Type 26 and 31 frigates), NSM, and the upcoming FC-ASW cruise missile.
This partly stems from the experiences in the Red Sea, where the existing armament was too short-ranged to strike back at Houthi fighters attacking with missiles and UAVs from stand-off ranges. Kongsberg has developed NSM as an alternative to RGM-84 Harpoon missiles with a different approach to seek multi-role capability and a less traditional design. The missile has a maximum range of 200+ km and carries a 140 kg HE-FRAG warhead with a delayed fuse.
While the range is somewhat matched with more recent Harpoon variants, the smaller warhead with a "smart fuse" is yet to prove itself. However, the multi-role use advantage thanks to the EO/IR seeker providing target recognition and terrain-following is one of the unquestionable advantages.
Most European navies are adopting NSM, the U.S. Navy (as RGM-184A), and the Australian Navy in addition to the Royal Navy.
