On Monday, April 28, Norway will mark a significant milestone with two major events: first, the country will officially celebrate the delivery of its 51st and 52nd F-35 fighters, marking the completion of its F-35 procurement program. Second, the Norwegian Armed Forces will receive their first Joint Strike Missile (JSM).
The Norwegian Ministry of Defence emphasizes that the combination of advanced fighter jets and long-range JSM missiles will significantly enhance Norway’s operational capabilities.
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Brigadier General Jarle Nergård, head of the Air Force’s Materiel Department, stressed that with the new missiles, Norway’s adversaries must now account for the fact that the country can "strike targets such as warships, radars, and command centers at long distances without the need for allied assistance."
The Ministry notes that the JSM is a crucial component in unlocking the full combat capabilities of the F-35, particularly because it can be launched from the aircraft’s internal weapons bays. Among its key advantages is its ability to operate effectively in contested environments protected by advanced air defense systems.
The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) is the successor to the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), developed by Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in collaboration with Raytheon Missiles & Defense.
The JSM weighs 416 kilograms, including a 120-kilogram warhead, and measures four meters in length. It can strike targets up to 185 kilometers away when launched at low altitude, and up to 555 kilometers in optimal conditions.
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