Kongsberg Wins First Export Orders for Australian-Made NSM Launchers

Kongsberg Defence Australia has achieved a historic milestone by securing the first international export contracts for Australian-made NSM launchers, marking a significant breakthrough in Australia’s defense manufacturing industry. These groundbreaking Australian-made NSM launchers represent the first Naval Strike Missile launcher systems manufactured outside of Europe and the United States, demonstrating Australia’s emerging capabilities in advanced defense technology production. The landmark contracts totaling AUD $80 million showcase Australia’s successful transition from defense equipment importer to sophisticated defense technology exporter on the global stage.

Dual European Contracts

Kongsberg Defence Australia has secured two substantial contracts worth AUD $50 million to deliver NSM launchers to Spain and Denmark, marking the company’s successful entry into the competitive European defense market. This achievement validates the quality and reliability of Australian defense manufacturing while establishing crucial international relationships for future business development. The European contracts demonstrate that Australian-produced defense systems meet the stringent requirements of NATO allies with sophisticated military procurement standards.

Polish Command System

A separate AUD $30 million contract will see Kongsberg Defence Australia supply NSM Coastal Defence System command-and-control consoles to Poland, building upon Warsaw’s substantial 2023 purchase of NSM systems worth 8 billion Polish zloty. This follow-on contract demonstrates sustained international confidence in Australian defense manufacturing capabilities while expanding the country’s presence in Eastern European defense markets. The Polish contract reinforces long-term strategic partnerships that could yield additional opportunities for Australian defense exporters.

Domestic Production

Both launcher systems and command-and-control consoles will be manufactured using Australian-made components at Kongsberg’s state-of-the-art production and maintenance facility in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. This domestic production approach ensures that Australia retains critical manufacturing knowledge while developing indigenous defense industrial capabilities. The local production strategy also provides economic benefits through job creation and technology transfer to Australian suppliers throughout the defense supply chain.

Adelaide-based companies Aerobond Defence and QPE Advanced Machining will serve as key suppliers, with Aerobond providing launcher canisters and QPE manufacturing complex precision-machined components for the launcher systems. These partnerships demonstrate the depth of Australia’s emerging defense manufacturing ecosystem while creating sustainable business opportunities for local suppliers. Additional companies across Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney will contribute components and subsystems, creating a truly national defense manufacturing network.

Benefits Australian Economy

The export contracts are expected to generate approximately 60 highly skilled jobs at Kongsberg Defence Australia and throughout its extensive local supply chain network. This employment creation represents substantial economic benefits while developing specialized skills within Australia’s defense manufacturing workforce. The job creation demonstrates how successful defense exports can generate sustainable economic growth while strengthening national defense industrial capabilities.

Global Supply Chain Program

Australia’s NSM procurement program included strategic agreements for domestic component manufacturing that have enabled these successful export opportunities. The Global Supply Chain Program aims to expand Australian supplier participation while creating export opportunities within major defense companies’ international networks. This strategic approach transforms domestic defense procurement into a platform for developing competitive export capabilities and strengthening Australia’s defense industrial base.

Advanced Launcher Technology

The successful export of advanced launcher technology validates Australia’s growing capabilities in sophisticated defense system manufacturing while establishing the country as a reliable alternative supplier for critical defense technologies. This achievement strengthens the resilience of global defense supply chains while positioning Australia as a trusted contributor to international security capabilities. The technology transfer demonstrates Australia’s commitment to becoming a significant player in global defense manufacturing.

Naval Integration Supports Regional Security

The NSM serves as a replacement for the aging Harpoon anti-ship missile system and is being integrated onto the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC-class frigates and Hobart-class destroyers. This integration enhances Australia’s naval strike capabilities while providing operational experience with the system that benefits export customers. The domestic operational experience validates the system’s effectiveness and provides credible references for international sales efforts.

Strategic Industrial Base Development

These export achievements represent successful implementation of government policies aimed at developing Australia’s sovereign defense manufacturing capabilities while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. The contracts demonstrate how strategic investment in domestic defense production can generate both national security benefits and economic returns through export success. The industrial base development creates resilient supply chains that support both domestic and international defense requirements.

Also read this: Poland Signs $3.8B Agreement With US to Upgrade F-16 Fleet

Future Growth Opportunities in Global Markets

The successful European and Polish contracts establish important precedents for future Australian defense export opportunities while demonstrating the country’s competitive capabilities in sophisticated defense technology manufacturing. These initial successes provide valuable references for pursuing additional contracts in growing international markets where NSM systems are being adopted. The export achievements position Australia for sustained growth in the competitive global defense manufacturing sector.

Kongsberg’s landmark export contracts for Australian-made NSM launchers represent a transformative achievement in Australia’s defense manufacturing industry, establishing the country as a credible competitor in global defense technology markets while strengthening sovereign manufacturing capabilities and creating sustainable economic benefits.

Keep connected with us at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram & TikTok for latest defense happening around the globe.