Kongsberg Defence Australia awarded $80 million in new export contracts

Kongsberg Defence Australia (KDAu) has secured two export deals totalling $80 million and covering launcher systems and command and control consoles, which will all be assembled using “100 per cent Australian made components and subsystems”.

According to a statement from Defence on Thursday, KDAu secured a $50 million order for Australian-made Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Launcher Systems to be exported to Spain and Denmark. A further $30 million contract for consoles to be exported to Poland is KDAu’s first export as part of the Commonwealth’s Global Supply Chain Program. 

John Fry, Managing Director of Kongsberg Defence Australia, said the contracts were a “huge milestone” for his company, which expects 60 jobs to be created at its own operations and across its supply chain as a result.

“Together with our Australian suppliers, we have demonstrated our determination and competitiveness to be able deliver to our parent company, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace for international customers, highlighting the capability, quality and reliability of our Australian team and supply chain,” said Fry.

The launcher systems and command and control consoles assembled by KDAu will be made of 100 per cent Australian made components and subsystems from suppliers across Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

KDAu was added to the Global Supply Chain Program last year. The statement adds that the launcher system and console sales were made possible through Australia’s NSM procurement contract, “which included an agreement for components to be manufactured in Australia.”

“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,” said defence industry minister Pat Conroy.

“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.” 

Picture: Naval Strike Missile being tested (credit Kongsberg)

Further reading

Kongsberg tests first Australian made missile launcher

Kongsberg breaks ground on missile manufacturing facility

Kongsberg opens new headquarters in Adelaide

Kongsberg to supply missile system consoles