The facility was officially opened by Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, the Hon Pat Conroy MP together with Norway’s Minister of Defence, Bjørn Arild Gram.
“We are delighted to open the first Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace facility in the Asia-Pacific region to support Australian acquisition and sustainment programs nationally. We are fully committed to supporting Sovereign Australian Industry Capability through Kongsberg Defence Australia. We believe in the importance of building and sustaining critical capabilities within Australia, ensuring that the nation remains secure and self-reliant,” said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
The new facility was opened just two years after KONGSBERG decided to invest AUD 25 million in a 2,500 sqm facility located on 6,000 sqm site in Adelaide.
“The opening marks a major milestone for KONGSBERG in Australia. We are dedicated to contributing to the nation's Defence strategy by ensuring that critical capabilities are developed and sustained within Australia with the support of our growing workforce. Bringing advanced technologies and expertise from Norway to Australia will enhance the capabilities of the Australian Defence Force”, said John Fry, Managing Director of Kongsberg Defence Australia.
The facility will support acquisition and sustainment programs including Naval Strike Missile (NSM) for the Navy, National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS),CORTEX C4 for Protected Mobile Fires, and Protector Remote Weapon Stations for the Australian Army through local manufacture, assembly, integration, test, verification and training.
New missile factory
In addition to new site in Adelaide, the Australian Government recently announced its decision to invest in the construction of a new factory for KONGSBERG strike missiles in Newcastle, Australia. The factory will manufacture and service KONGSBERG’s strike missiles to be used by the Australian Defence Force. Construction of the factory is expected to start later this year.
The Australian Government also announced its decision to include Kongsberg Defence Australia as one of its Strategic Partners in the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise. The GWEO Enterprise is backed by a commitment of $16 to $21 billion over the coming decade through the Government’s 2024 Integrated Investment Program.
