New Kongsberg Facility in Australia to Produce Joint Strike Missiles, Naval Strike Missiles

Australia has marked the first anniversary of its Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Plan with the opening of a Kongsberg Defence Australia office in Newcastle, launching an $850 million partnership to produce the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) and Naval Strike Missile (NSM).

The Newcastle site will be the first outside Norway to manufacture these precision-guided weapons, positioning Australia as a future missile exporter to allied nations. According to the Department of Defence, the project will create hundreds of jobs in the Hunter region and inject about $100 million into the local economy.

Released in October 2024, the GWEO Plan aims to boost Australia’s missile manufacturing capacity and strengthen its defence self-reliance through industry collaboration and international partnerships. Under the plan, production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles is expected to begin by late 2025, while the JSM and NSM factory in New South Wales will start production in 2027. The government has also invested in solid rocket motor manufacturing, explosives assembly at Orchard Hills, and programs to support Australian companies in producing and maintaining guided weapon components.

Agreements with the United States cover co-production of GMLRS and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), transfer of 155mm artillery technology, and cooperation on long-range fires development. A joint coordination office in Huntsville, Alabama, now oversees collaboration with the U.S. and Lockheed Martin on the PrSM program.

Australia has also committed significant funding to missile acquisitions, including $7 billion for Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC and Standard Missile 6, $142 million for Joint Strike Missiles, and $650 million for Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles – Extended Range.

The government’s focus on “speed to capability” has already delivered results, with new systems entering service following successful live test firings of the Naval Strike Missile, Standard Missile 6, Tomahawk, Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile, and Precision Strike Missile between 2024 and 2025.