Kongsberg Defence Australia announced Tuesday (28 July) that as part of Australia’s LAND 19 Phase 7B programme, it has started in-country manufacturing activities for the Fire Distribution Centre (FDC) shelter subsystem by Adelaide Hills-based Zenith Custom Creations. In partnership with Raytheon Australia, the company will deliver a National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) capability for the Australian Army. NASAMS is a state-of-the-art Ground-Based Air Defence system with beyond-visual-range capability that will enable the Army to quickly detect, engage, and destroy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missile threats.
Local production of Kongsberg Defence Australia’s FDC shelter subsystem commenced with the cutting of steel for the first two shelters, which are being fabricated by Zenith Custom Creations in their Mt Barker facility. The shelter subsystems will be delivered as part of Daronmont Technologies’ subcontract to Kongsberg Defence Australia. The start of local manufacturing follows the successful completion of Production Readiness Reviews for a number of Australian suppliers involved in delivering the NASAMS capability.
Kongsberg Defence Australia General Manager John Fry said Kongsberg Defence Australia remains committed to developing an Australian Industry Capability. “We’re proud to partner with Australian businesses such as Zenith Custom Creations, and develop a sovereign industry capability in the manufacture and support of NASAMS. Zenith Custom Creations have an excellent track record and have demonstrated their ability to manufacture to demanding specifications, which will be suitable for not only the Australian Defence Force, but for Kongsberg’s global supply chain.”
Kongsberg Defence Australia will assemble and conduct sub-system level integration of the Fire Distribution Centre and NASAMS Classroom Trainers in Adelaide using predominantly Australian supplied components. Kongsberg Defence Australia will also conduct final assembly of the Canister Launchers, and support Kongsberg and prime contractor Raytheon Australia in integration activities.
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