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Adelaide-Made Missile Systems Bound for Europe
by Boylen
Missile launchers and command and control consoles made in South Australia are now set to be exported to Europe.
Two major export deals worth a combined $80 million have been secured by Kongsberg Defence Australia, which is part of the Federal Government’s Global Supply Chain Program.
The export deals are made possible through Australia’s Naval Strike Missile procurement contract, which included an agreement for components to be manufactured in Australia.
Both the launcher systems and command and control consoles will be assembled by Kongsberg Defence Australia, and tested in their production and maintenance facility in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. The consoles and launchers will be manufactured using 100 per cent Australian made components and subsystems from companies based in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
The two projects are set to create 60 highly-skilled jobs at Kongsberg Defence Australia and across its local supply chain.
“These major export contracts are a huge milestone for Kongsberg Defence Australia,” said Managing Director John Fry.
“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.
“The export contracts under the Commonwealth’s Global Supply Chain Program are creating opportunities in the international market for our local suppliers, which is a fantastic outcome for Australian Defence industry.”
Through its parent company, Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace in Norway, the company will deliver Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System Command and Control Consoles to Poland.
The $30 million contract is Kongsberg Defence Australia’s first export as part of the Commonwealth’s Global Supply Chain Program. The company also secured another $50 million order for Australian-made Naval Strike Missile Launcher Systems to be exported to Spain and Denmark.
The export deals mark a significant milestone for Australia’s sovereign guided weapons manufacturing program.
The Naval Strike Missile is a modern anti-ship cruise missile designed to defeat highly capable enemy warships as well as land-based targets. The Naval Strike Missile is being installed on Navy’s Hobart class destroyers and Anzac class frigates with a successful first of class firing in July 2024 and Initial Operational Capability declaration in 2024.
These exports are part of the Australian Government’s investment in the GWEO Enterprise, underpinned by a commitment in Defence’s Integrated Investment Program of $16 to $21 billion over the next decade.
Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility
Architect’s render of Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF).
The four-bay aircraft hangar will support the long-term maintenance and modification requirements for the Australian Defence Force’s fleet of RAAF P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft and RAAF E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft. United States Navy (USN) MQ-4C Triton will undergo repair at the adjacent to RAAF Base Edinburgh. The DMMF facility is expected to be complete mid-2026. It will be 240 metres long, 60 metres wide and 25 metres high, with the four-bay hangar almost 50 per cent longer than Adelaide Oval. It will be the only facility of its kind in Australia, bolstering the nation’s sovereign defence capability and will provide the capacity to allow the P8 Poseidon and E-7A Wedgetail fleets to undergo maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrades in one facility.
