Government orders JSM missile, but no manufacture locally

The federal government has signed a $142 million contract with Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace to acquire the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) air-launched cruise missile from 2025.

The JSM is designed to allow the missile to fit into the F-35A Lightning II internal weapon bay, preserving the aircraft’s stealth characteristics.

With a range of more than 275 kilometres, the JSM’s low-altitude sea-skimming flight profile helps it delay detection and engagement by a target’s defence system.

However unlike the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile, which will be manufactured in Newcastle under a $850 million deal announced last month, the JSM missiles will be imported.

However the launcher system for the Naval Strike Missile will be assembled in Adelaide at Kongsberg’s new $25 million manufacturing facility in Mawson Lakes, South Australia which was inaugurated today.

Kongsberg’s new South Australian facility will have the capacity to employ up to 150 workers and will assemble NSM launchers ‘using mostly Australian‑manufactured components’, creating 20 new local jobs.

The government said the two developments were part of its investment in the Guided Weapons and Explosives Ordinance (GWEO) Enterprise.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles said: “The (government’s) investment in long-range strike capabilities for the Australian Defence Force is central to our ability to protect Australia’s security and advance our national interests.

“This announcement builds on our commitment to enhance the ADF’s ability to precisely strike targets at a longer range, while also manufacturing more in Australia.

“Whether it is in Newcastle or Adelaide, the Government is committed to working with industry to support more local jobs, deliver the capabilities needed to keep Australians safe and build a future made in Australia.”

Further reading:
$850m investment to manufacture missiles in Newcastle

Picture: Joint Strike Missile