A model of the Naval Strike Missile, an anti-ship missile manufactured by Norway’s Kongsberg. File. | Photo credit: Reuters
Australia said it would jointly build long-range naval strike missiles and joint strike missiles with Norway’s Kongsberg Defence in the city of Newcastle on Australia’s east coast, the only location outside Norway.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the Australian Government would contribute 850 million Australian dollars ($574 million) to establish a manufacturing facility with Kongsberg at Newcastle Airport later this year, with production starting in 2027.
He said the anti-ship cruise missiles would be used by the Australian Defence Force and also exported by a US security ally. It would be one of only two facilities in the world capable of producing the missiles, and the only site outside of Kongsberg, Norway.
Australia has said it will establish a guided weapons facility as part of defence reform to enhance the Australian Defence Force’s long-range precision strike capability amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
“There’s huge global demand and constraints on the supply chain around the world. So not only is it cost-competitive to make them here, but it will actually deliver the missiles faster than if we were to rely on an overseas production line,” Conroy said at a press conference in Newcastle. “There are also huge export opportunities for these missiles.”
Mr Conroy said the Naval Strike Missile is being used by the US Marines to equip land-based trucks with anti-ship capability.
“We will not only have the capability to maintain and refurbish our own missiles; but we can also do the same for United States forces that may be deployed in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
About 2,000 U.S. Marines are stationed in northern Australia for six months of the year.
The Joint Strike Missile is the only strike missile that can be carried in the weapons bay of the F-35 fighter jet.
Australia has two F-35 stealth fighter squadrons based at Williamtown, near Newcastle, and RAAF Base Tindal in northern Australia, which is being upgraded by the United States to host American bombers.
In the Indo-Pacific region, Japan and South Korea have F-35 squadrons, while Singapore has ordered the fighter jets.
Australia is also developing a hypersonic missile with the United States, and will begin building guided missiles with the United States next year.