Kongsberg Defence Australia has broken ground for its highly anticipated missile factory in Williamtown, near Newcastle in NSW which will manufacture and maintain long-range strike weapons for the Australian Defence Force. The state-of-the-art facility is located within the Astra Aerolab Business Park defence and aerospace precinct, directly adjoining Newcastle Airport and the home to the…
What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to @AuManufacturing were reading. 5) WA hydrogen strategy aims for green ammonia, iron The Western Australian government has released a refreshed Renewable Hydrogen Strategy for Western Australia, with a major focus on producing green products and value-adding to the state’s resources. The first update in…
By Peter Roberts It has been a long while coming, but after 29 months in office the federal government has released a Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Plan. A recommendation of the Defence Strategic Review, the government has been meanwhile buying new weapons overseas and supporting local manufacture of some missiles and munitions. It has…
BAE Systems Australia has been awarded a $270 million contract to significantly increase the production of critical components and assemblies for the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2. The ESSM Block 2 is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile developed to protect warships from advanced anti-ship cruise missiles. It is in service with 12 countries and is…
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…
By Peter Roberts We all know that Australia is scrambling to build up its missile defences, but it is somewhat galling to find the latest US$100 million purchase involves no local production whatsoever, and no technology transfer of any sort to Australians. Well that’s not entirely true, they will teach us how to fire the…
Tactical boat developer The Whiskey Project Group and defence contractor Rafael Australia have unveiled a new collaboration to deliver what they call the most advanced reconnaissance and strike watercraft in the world. Their Whiskey Bravo – Strike craft was revealed at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition now underway in Sydney. The companies took to…
Precision engineering manufacturer Australian Precision Technologies (APT) has received a contract from Kongsberg Defence Australia to manufacture components for the KONGSBERG Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Launchers to be delivered under Project SEA 1300. The NSM will replace the Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile currently on the Royal Australian Navy ANZAC class frigates and Hobart class air warfare…
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has announced it will purchase new, smart sea mines, which will reinvigorate Defence’s maritime mining capability, and are deployable from submarines, ships and aircraft, according to an announcement. Following evaluation of market options last year, Defence selected RWM Italia (pictured) to provide the capability under a multi-million-dollar contract – the…
The Australian Missile Corporation and the Victorian government are to work together to enable a “ready and able” Victorian workforce to support Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) enterprise. Under an agreement between the parties, they intend prioritising local jobs, skills and training to accelerate Australia’s new smart munitions industry. The AMC is an…
