Kongsberg Defence Australia’s new manufacturing facility in Adelaide. Photo: Tandem Building LinkedIn.
The Commonwealth Government has confirmed that the Royal Australian Air Force has selected the Kongsberg Joint Strike Missile (JSM) to equip its fleet of 72 F-35 Lightning II fighters for the anti-ship role.
Coming just two weeks after it was announced that JSMs and the similar Naval Strike Missile (NSM) will be manufactured at a new facility near Newcastle under the government’s ambitions Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise, the selection of the JSM for the RAAF’s Project AIR 3023 Enhanced Maritime Strike for the Air Combat Capability requirement was somewhat expected.
The NSM recently entered service with the Royal Australian Navy from its Hobart-class destroyers, with HMAS Sydney conducting the first successful test firing of an NSM off Hawaii in July. The RAN’s Anzac class frigates are also currently being fitted with NSM cannisters.
Designed to attack enemy shipping but with a secondary land-attack capability, the JSM was specifically intended to fit inside the weapons bay of the Lockheed Martin F-35A and F-35C models of the Joint Strike Fighter. As a stealth aircraft, the F-35’s ability to carry and employ weapons from its internal weapons bays allows it to maintain its stealthy signature in high-threat areas.
The missile is also operated by Norway, Japan and the US, all from their F-35A combat aircraft, while other F-35A operators are also considering its acquisition. Australia is expected to induct its first JSMs into service in 2025.
The JSM is designed to be employed from the F-35A and F-35C’s internal weapons bays. Photo: KONGSBERG.
The JSM has a range of more than 275 km and flies a low-altitude ‘sea-skimming’ path to a target area, where its seeker is able to discriminate between ships that are legitimate targets and non-combatants.
The $142m contract for an initial batch of JSMs was announced on 5 September by Norway’s Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram at the opening of Kongsberg Defence Australia’s new $25m manufacturing facility in Mawson Lakes in Adelaide.
The new Mawson Lakes facility will employ 150 staff to assemble NSM launch cannisters for the Royal Australian Navy.
Royal Australian Navy personnel undergo NSM loading training on the Anzac-class frigate HMAS Ballarat in August. Photo: ADF.
Minister for Defence Richard Marles said the government’s investment in long-range strike capabilities for the ADF was central to its ability to protect Australia’s security.
“This announcement builds on our commitment to enhance the ADF’s ability to precisely strike targets at a longer range, while also manufacturing more in Australia,” he said.
“Whether it is in Newcastle or Adelaide, the government is committed to working with industry to support more local jobs, deliver the capabilities needed to keep Australians safe and build a future made in Australia.”
Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said the signing of the contract with Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace to fast-track the acquisition of the JSM was an example of the government moving quickly to acquire capabilities faster.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates the strong partnership between Australia, Norway and Kongsberg to expedite and uplift guided weapons capabilities,” he said.
“Kongsberg Defence Australia’s new facility creates Australian jobs, work for Australian companies and economic benefits for local communities.
“The Norwegian Government and Kongsberg share our vision for a stronger and more assured global supply chain for guided weapons, and we look forward to continuing to work together in support of the rules-based international order.”
