Kongsberg Defence Australia has secured a major export order for Australian-made Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Launcher Systems for two European nations. The $50 million export contract will see launchers manufactured in Australia and exported into KONGSBERG’s global supply chain — marking a significant milestone in Australia’s journey towards sovereign guided weapons manufacturing and high-value defence exports. Australian defence officials said there was an additional contract signed for $30 million for a deal total of $80 million.
“This is a significant moment for Australian defence manufacturing,” said John Fry, Managing Director of Kongsberg Defence Australia. “To be entrusted with delivering critical NSM launchers for international customers highlights the capability, quality and reliability of our Australian team and supply chain.”
Kongsberg Defence Australia will manufacture the NSM launchers from Australian made components, which will be assembled and tested in its production and maintenance facility in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. The launcher canisters will be supplied by advanced composite manufacturing company, Aerobond Defence and complex precision machined components for the launcher will be manufactured by QPE Advanced Machining, both based in Adelaide. The launcher frame and rail and other machined components will be manufactured by Australian companies in Victoria.
This represents another export contract under the Commonwealth of Australia’s Global Supply Chain Program. It will be the first time NSM launchers have been produced outside of Europe, reflecting the strong and growing role Kongsberg Defence Australia plays in the international KONGSBERG ecosystem.
Erin Hamblin, Global Supply Chain Program Manager for Kongsberg Defence Australia , said “Kongsberg Defence Australia’s ability to export advanced launcher technology supports not only our local growth, but also strengthens the resilience of Australia’s strategic industrial base, establishes a second source of supply, and reinforces our role as a trusted contributor to the NSM capability.”
NSM is an advanced maritime strike and land attack cruise missile with superior operational performance and high survivability against complex targets. NSM can be both deck launched from a ship, or truck launched in a coastal defence role. The NSM has been selected by 14 nations including Norway, Australia, the United States, UK and Canada.
The order is aligned with Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) enterprise objectives to build sovereign capability with export potential. These deliveries are part of contracts previously signed between Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Denmark and Spain.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said: “The Albanese Government’s efforts to support Australia’s sovereign defence manufacturing industry have reaped further benefits with these significant export deals. This is an exciting milestone for Australia’s sovereign defence manufacturing industry and a proud moment for Australian businesses to enter the global supply chain for missile manufacturing. It will be the first time Naval Strike Missile launchers are manufactured outside of Europe and the United States, positioning Australia as a trusted source of supply to the Naval Strike Missile capability. These deals underscore the Government’s commitment to working alongside our industry partners to strengthen Australia’s role in the global defence industry.”
South Australian Minister for Defence & Space Industries Stephen Mullighan said: “This is a fantastic result for South Australia’s defence sector, demonstrating our capabilities in delivering state-of-the-art technology to a global market. These significant contracts will not only boost the workforce at Kongsberg’s Mawson Lakes facility, but along the supply chain. It’s successes like this that help cement South Australia’s reputation as the Defence State.”
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