Kongsberg Unveils State-of-the-Art Missile Production Facility
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) has formally inaugurated its state-of-the-art missile production facility in Kongsberg, Norway, designed to manufacture its Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and Joint Strike Missile (JSM).
The new missile plant was ceremoniously inaugurated by Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth, alongside State Secretary Anne Marie Aanerud from the Norwegian Ministry of Defence and delegates from the NSM and JSM allied nations. This facility is situated within the Arsenalet industrial zone, conveniently located near the company’s headquarters.
The launch of this modern facility substantially enhances KONGSBERG’s missile output capacity.
“Interest in the NSM and JSM has surged over the last ten years, establishing them as the preferred fifth generation strike missile in 13 nations, including Norway, NATO allies, and other close partners,” stated Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
“This structure represents the culmination of several expansions we have undertaken over the past few years in response to the rising demand for our naval strike systems across our growing client portfolio. This facility dramatically boosts the annual manufacturing rate for NSM and JSM,” Lie added.
The initiative to build the new plant commenced in 2021, motivated by a sustained rise in orders for KONGSBERG’s strike missiles. Earlier this year, the organization received financial support from the Norwegian government and the EU’s ASAP programme to further elevate production capacity.
“Our cutting-edge missile manufacturing center directly responds to the robust and enduring demand for our proprietary technology and the imperative to bolster collective defense capabilities. When we decided to invest in a new missile production establishment, we already observed significant interest from both existing and prospective clients. The current geopolitical climate has intensified the necessity for our defense capabilities and technology – both domestically and internationally. As a pioneering technology firm, we are uniquely positioned with our JSM and NSM assets to tackle security and defense challenges and equip our customers with the essential technology they require,” remarked Geir Håøy, CEO of KONGSBERG.
The newly established missile facility is located in the Arsenalet industrial area in Kongsberg, which is undergoing expansion to 90,000 sqm to accommodate 1,200 skilled employees.
NSM & JSM Overview
The NSM is an advanced anti-ship missile known for its exceptional operational capabilities and high resilience against all adversarial defense mechanisms. Developed by KONGSBERG, it was first deployed in 2012 by the Norwegian Navy.
NSM serves as the principal armament for the Norwegian Navy’s frigates and coastal corvettes, and has been adopted by the US Navy, US Marine Corps, Poland, Romania, Canada, Germany, Australia, Malaysia, Spain, UK, The Netherlands, Belgium, and Latvia. The JSM has gained selection by Norway, Japan, and the US Air Force.
