Marand awarded further work on Naval Strike Missile

Marand Precision Engineering has been awarded a further contract from Kongsberg Defence Australia on the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) project, and will begin production of structural launcher frames and rails for NSM launcher canisters immediately.

In a statement on Thursday, Kongsberg said the frames and rails were key components for the Launcher Missile Module (LMM), and followed a contract announced in February for Marand to contribute large-scale fabrication of NSM launcher ramp systems.

The NSM is a fifth-generation, long-range strike weapon, and can be used as both an anti-ship and land attack cruise missile. It is replacing the Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles on the Navy’s ANZAC Class Frigates and Hobart Class Destroyers. 

“Marand is a very capable Australian manufacturer and we see them as an important local partner on this project where KONGSBERG is maximising local manufacturing content within an accelerated delivery schedule,” said John Fry, General Manager, Kongsberg Defence Australia. 

“These launcher components are significant elements of the Naval Strike Missile and the local production of these systems demonstrate our commitment to furthering Australian manufacturing in support of the Sovereign Guided Weapon Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise”

Production of launcher ramp systems is underway at Marand’s Geelong site, and the additional work would begin immediately, Marand said.

“As well as the Project Management, procurement and assembly processes at Marand we have leveraged the broader group to bring best of breed in detail component machining and surface treatment processes,” Marand said CEO Rohan Stocker. 

Picture: supplied

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