Germany Tests Naval Strike Missile from MARS 3 Launcher, Expanding European Coastal Defense Capabilities

NSM MARS 3. KNDS Deutschland

Germany conducted a live-fire test of the Norwegian-developed Naval Strike Missile (NSM) from the MARS 3 rocket launcher platform in Norway. This event marked the first time the NSM was launched from a land-based multi-domain artillery system in Europe, representing a significant development in the integration of maritime strike capabilities into terrestrial platforms.

The MARS 3 system, previously known as EuroPULS, is the European adaptation of the Israeli Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS) developed by Elbit Systems. Germany introduced MARS 3 as a successor to the MARS II, its version of the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), and signed a €55 million contract for five launchers in early 2025. The system is mounted on an Iveco Trakker 8×8 wheeled chassis but is designed to be platform-agnostic, allowing for integration with other vehicle types such as Scania, Tatra, and BAE tracked platforms.

The NSM, developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, has been in service since the early 2010s and is capable of both anti-ship and land-attack missions. It features a 125 kg penetrating blast-fragmentation warhead and a booster stage, bringing its total weight to 407 kg. The missile employs GPS-aided inertial navigation, terrain contour matching (TERCOM), a laser altimeter, and an imaging infrared seeker to autonomously detect and engage targets. With a flight speed of Mach 0.93 and low radar observability, the NSM is designed to evade air defenses through sea-skimming and terrain-following flight profiles. The Block 1A variant ordered by Germany has a range exceeding 300 km.

The integration of NSM into the MARS 3 system expands the launcher’s operational scope beyond conventional land-attack roles to include maritime strike and coastal defense missions. This reflects a broader trend in modern military strategy toward multi-domain operations, where systems are expected to perform across land, sea, and air environments. The MARS 3’s modular fire control system supports a wide range of munitions from various manufacturers, including Accular 122 mm and 160 mm rockets, EXTRA (150 km), Predator Hawk (300 km), SkyStriker loitering munitions, AT2 anti-tank mine barrages, and the future Joint Fire Support Missile (JFSM), which is projected to have a range of up to 499 km.

The launcher’s architecture is designed to be open and modular, facilitating integration with current and future effectors. It incorporates components from the European Fire Control System used in MARS II and the RCH 155 self-propelled howitzer, creating a standardized interface across multiple artillery platforms. This approach reduces logistical dependencies and enhances interoperability within NATO and other allied forces.

Germany’s decision to integrate the NSM into a land-based platform aligns with its efforts to modernize its deep-strike capabilities and replace aging systems. The use of the Iveco Trakker 8×8 platform, already in service across Europe, minimizes logistical burdens and supports rapid deployment. The MARS 3 system can fire 12 rockets in approximately 60 seconds and offers over 180° azimuth coverage with support for three different firing directions.

This development also reflects operational lessons from recent conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and the Red Sea, where mobile, land-based coastal defense systems have demonstrated effectiveness in contested environments. The ability to launch cruise missiles from mobile platforms enhances survivability and flexibility, allowing forces to adapt quickly to changing battlefield conditions.

Future enhancements to the MARS 3 system include the integration of additional effectors such as MBDA’s RCM², designed for use against ships, aircraft, and artillery systems. Cooperation with Diehl Defence is also underway to develop complementary deep-strike munitions. These efforts aim to provide scalable firepower options across multiple domains without reliance on proprietary systems or single-effect munitions.

The successful test of the NSM from the MARS 3 launcher underscores a shift in European defense strategy toward more adaptable and interoperable systems. By incorporating maritime strike capabilities into land-based platforms, Germany and its partners are expanding the operational reach of their artillery forces and enhancing their ability to respond to diverse threats across multiple theaters.