KONGSBERG has confirmed that the StrikeMaster Missile Launch Vehicle will remain in Europe for the foreseeable future following strong and growing interest from international partners.
StrikeMaster is KONGSBERG’s Australian configuration of the Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System (NSM CDS) using Thales Australia’s proven Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle as the platform for a twin-pack NSM launcher. It has attracted significant global attention following its recent firing in Norway. StrikeMaster has unique qualities including tactical mobility, operating range, and crew protection, whilst maintaining commonality and interoperability with other NSM CDS solutions.
The decision to keep StrikeMaster in Europe reflects increasing global demand for rapidly deployable, land-based precision strike capabilities, particularly among nations seeking to quickly strengthen deterrence and enhance anti-access area denial and littoral operations.
“We are seeing a substantial increase in the interest for land based, deployable and distributed systems capable of launching NSM, both from existing and potentially new customers. Keeping the StrikeMaster launch vehicle in Europe provides a valuable opportunity for KONGSBERG and Thales to engage directly with international customers and partners who are seeking a mature solution,” said Mr Øyvind Kolset, EVP KONGSBERG Group and President Missiles & Aerostructures. “StrikeMaster combines the market leading strike missile with a trusted, highly capable platform, offering a unique capability that is ready now.”
The StrikeMaster Missile Launch Vehicle will continue to support demonstrations and engagement activities across Europe and allied regions.
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Given that the Bushmaster/Strikemaster is an Australian concept how can it not be available to Australia for use?
Because the government refuses to buy it – though that might change.
Completely ridiculous they haven’t made a decision on this yet. Even as an interim capability or even just as part of a high/low mix. With an high degree of Australian industry content and supply chain what the hell is the government waiting for?
It’s quite simple – the Army doesn’t want the NSM. They are obsessed with HIMARS. HIMARS cannot fire NSM – the next weapon for it to give it a maritime strike capability will be PrSM Increment 2. No matter that Kongsberg will soon be producing NSM in a Newcastle factory, our Army would prefer to remain wedded to a very uncertain US supply line because that’s just the way they think. There have been vague promises from the US that PrSM might be manufactured in Australia – but since for GMLRS all we are allowed to do is assemble fully imported kits the chances of doing anything more than that in the next 10 years would seem exceedingly remote.
Wow, the world we live in now. Just spoke with my eldest son (28), and the utter dispare he showed was heart breaking. This has gone so wrong, and the cover ups/ security silence that has tried to stifle debate, is also majorly wrong.
The BIG talk of sovereign capability, that has just dissolved our actual capability. I really feel for my son, because he is only now just seeing it. I have worked in the civilian/ industry side of defence, but the current state of BS and blind crap that is being slowly, drip feed to the public is almost head burying. A functioning democracy requires an effective opposition. We lack that now, and hence the new announcement that we won’t be getting any (semi) independent news on major defence contracts or capability. I would start building a bunker at my bush block, except my neighbor is an A** hole. I think our ADF and Gov already have.
Without wishing to add to your feelings of depression, I understand that. Neither the Government nor the Coalition are interested in a discussion about how rapidly technology is moving – and both sides are determined to choke off any information getting into the public domain.
Keeping the StrikeMaster launch vehicle in Europe provides a valuable opportunity for KONGSBERG and Thales to engage directly with international customers and partners who are seeking a mature solution………….meanwhile Australia would rather wait on the US deigning to supply them with HIMARS
I live in hope that some of the ridiculous decisions made by the current government will be overturned after the next election. Transparency in defence needs to be one of the first changes followed by some firm decisions to buy local.
I really can’t see how we can afford not to have Strkemaster in Australian service. It makes logistical and economical sense at every level.
So, send the Left-hand drive version. It is worth the investment in time and money.
CEOs and CFOs etc etc, it isn’t that hard to joint the dots. Or were you all trained at ADFA.
The thing that I find laughable is that everyone seems to think that the ADFs obsession with U.S. kit is something new. The R.A.A.F. has steadfastly refuses to accept any major Equipment that isn’t U.S. made, the Army is of the opinion that if it isn’t made in the U.S. it’s substandard and the R.A.N will only begrudgingly accept a design that doesn’t tie it directly to the U.S.N. Very few senior ranks will speak out against “the Department “ for fear of being sidelined for Promotion.