Australia Partners with Kongsberg to Manufacture Missiles

Australia is set to invest A$850 million ($573.8 million) to establish a manufacturing facility for long-range Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) and Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) in partnership with Norway's Kongsberg Defence, located at the Newcastle Airport precinct. This facility will be the only site outside Norway capable of producing these advanced missiles, enhancing Australia's long-range precision strike capabilities amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. The project aims to bolster the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and is expected to create over 500 construction jobs and approximately 100 ongoing positions. The collaboration is part of Australia's broader defence strategy, including the AUKUS partnership with the United States and Britain. The NSM and JSM will significantly enhance the capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy and Air Force, with plans to integrate JSM into F-35A aircraft. Construction is slated to begin later this year, marking a substantial advancement for Australia's domestic defence industry.