KONGSBERG has signed a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia to deliver the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) for the F-35A aircraft.
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Press Release, Kongsberg, 05September 2024: Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) has signed a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia to deliver the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) for the F-35A aircraft. The initial contract is worth about NOK 1 billion. The specific JSM capabilities enhance the advanced F-35A aircraft, creating a formidable capability against land and sea targets, and boosting Australia’s ability to strike targets from long-range.
“We are pleased that Australia has joined Norway, Japan and the US in selecting the JSM. This is yet another contract that underlines the relevance of JSM in the pacific region. Australia’s participation will benefit the programme and the other user nations through both competence and resources. Finally, the introduction of JSM is another important milestone in our cooperation with Australian authorities to maintain and ultimately produce missiles in Australia,” said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
Last week, the Australian Government announced a decision to invest in the construction of a new factory for KONGSBERG strike missiles in Newcastle, Australia.
About JSM: The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) has been specifically designed for internal carriage on the F-35 aircraft and provides a significant long range maritime strike and land attack capability. JSM is an air-launched strike missile and is designed to fulfil complex missions, such as Anti-surface Warfare (ASuW) and land attack. The primary targets are typically movable highly defended and high-value assets on sea, in coastal waters or on land. JSM has advanced off-board, on-board and in-flight mission planning capability and can engage targets based on a pre-defined set of Rules-of-Engagement. Development of the JSM was contracted by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA).
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KONGSBERG Opens Production Facility in South Australia
Press Release, Kongsberg, 05September 2024: Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) today opened its new facility in Adelaide in South Australia, where the company will support acquisition and sustainment programmes including strike missiles, air defence and remote weapon stations for the Australian armed forces. The facility was officially opened by Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, the Hon Pat Conroy MP together with Norway’s Minister of Defence, Bjørn Arild Gram.
“We are delighted to open the first Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace facility in the Asia-Pacific region to support Australian acquisition and sustainment programmes nationally. We are fully committed to supporting Sovereign Australian Industry Capability through Kongsberg Defence Australia. We believe in the importance of building and sustaining critical capabilities within Australia, ensuring that the nation remains secure and self-reliant,” said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
The new facility was opened just two years after KONGSBERG decided to invest AUD 25 million in a 2,500sqm facility located on 6,000sqm site in Adelaide.
“The opening marks a major milestone for KONGSBERG in Australia. We are dedicated to contributing to the nation’s Defence strategy by ensuring that critical capabilities are developed and sustained within Australia with the support of our growing workforce. Bringing advanced technologies and expertise from Norway to Australia will enhance the capabilities of the Australian Defence Force”, said John Fry, Managing Director of Kongsberg Defence Australia.
The facility will support acquisition and sustainment programmes including Naval Strike Missile (NSM) for the Navy, National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS),CORTEX C4 for Protected Mobile Fires, and Protector Remote Weapon Stations for the Australian Army through local manufacture, assembly, integration, test, verification and training.
New missile factory: In addition to new site in Adelaide, the Australian Government recently announced its decision to invest in the construction of a new factory for KONGSBERG strike missiles in Newcastle, Australia. The factory will manufacture and service KONGSBERG’s strike missiles to be used by the Australian Defence Force. Construction of the factory is expected to start later this year.
The Australian Government also announced its decision to include Kongsberg Defence Australia as one of its Strategic Partners in the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise. The GWEO Enterprise is backed by a commitment of $16 to $21 billion over the coming decade through the Government’s 2024 Integrated Investment Programme
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