- Author
- Editorial Staff
- Subjects
- Naval technology
- Tags
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- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- December 2024 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
The following has been largely compiled from available media sources.
Norway is a mountainous country in distant northern Europe, dominated by picturesque fjords with ready access to the sea. For centuries fierce Viking inhabitants using their great longships set out on long voyages extending their empire. As seafaring people, they developed prominent fishing and maritime industries including whaling. Surprisingly it was not until 1905 that Norway became an independent country.
With a present day population of 5.5 million Norway is known for high standards of living and the excellence of its education. These are largely funded by its Sovereign Wealth Fund, established to invest surplus revenues from the country’s oil and gas production. This fund is also used to promote numerous industries, one of these being Kongsberg which is more than 50% owned by the state.
Kongsberg can trace its history back to 1814 when it started as a weapons factory manufacturing whaling harpoon guns. These guns were produced under licence from the well-known Swedish Bofors company. Is there a linkage between harpoons and guided weapons?
The cover of our September 2024 magazine showed HMAS Sydney firing a Kongsberg missile. Sydney’s AEGIS combat system includes a 48 cell Mark 41 Vertical Launch System with a mix of RIM-66 Standard 2 and RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow, plus 2 x 4 canister Naval Strike Missiles. The RAN uses Harpoon missiles originally developed by McDonnell Douglas but now manufactured by Boeing Defence Space & Security. The aging Harpoons are being replaced by those from Kongsberg.
Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile
The Naval Strike Missile, developed by Kongsberg, is an advanced, long-range, precision strike weapon designed to engage both sea and land targets. The missile first came into production in 2012 and is now used by the Australian, German, Norwegian, Polish, British and American defence forces. In comparison to the Harpoon system it is smaller and faster but the Harpoon has a larger warhead. The NSM brings several critical advantages to the RAN. With a range exceeding 185 kms, it allows Australian naval ships to strike targets far beyond visual range, enhancing their ability to engage adversaries at a distance. Technical data includes:
Speed High Subsonic (Mach 0.93)
Weight 407 kg (897 lbs)
Length 3.96 m (156 ins)
Range > 185 km (100 nm)
Warhead 120 kg (260 lbs)
This capability is crucial for maintaining tactical advantage in both open ocean and littoral environments, where threats can emerge from multiple directions. The missile’s advanced infrared homing guidance system ensures high accuracy, reducing the likelihood of collateral damage and improving mission success rates.
A key aspect of the NSM is its ability to manoeuvre in flight, making it difficult for enemy defences to detect and intercept. This survivability is complemented by the missile’s stealth features, such as a low radar cross-section and reduced infrared signature, which help avoid detection by adversary sensors. These attributes are vital in modern naval combat, where stealth and electronic warfare are increasingly important for maintaining an edge over potential adversaries.
Australian Production
Recent media announcements state that Australia will contribute $850M in partnership with Kongsberg Defence Australia to manufacture and service missiles at Williamtown near Newcastle, NSW. The project involves the construction of a factory in the Newcastle Airport precinct that will manufacture and service Joint Service Strike Missiles (JSM) and Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) to be used by the ADF. Production is expected to begin in 2028 with the capacity to build up to 100 missiles per year but this could be increased to satisfy potential export demand.
The new facility is expected to generate more than 500 jobs in the construction phase and contribute about $100M economic benefit to the local area. Once complete, the facility is expected to employ a workforce of about 100. It will be one of only two facilities in the world capable of producing the missiles. The other site is in Kongsberg, Norway.
The JSM, which can be fitted to the F-35A aircraft, and the NSM are modern anti-ship cruise missiles designed to defeat highly capable enemy warships. Both can also be deployed against land-based targets. The NSM will enhance the maritime and land strike capabilities of Hobart-class destroyers and Anzac-class frigates, and will replace the Harpoon anti-ship missile, supporting the increased lethality of the enhanced surface combat fleet. Sydney test-fired an NSM in July.
The project delivers on priorities in the 2024 National Defence Strategy to both develop the ADF’s ability to precisely strike targets at longer range and manufacture munitions in Australia. Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Minister Pat Conroy said: ‘This is about investing in our advanced, high-tech manufacturing industry and developing our sovereign defence industrial base in areas which have been identified as strategic priorities, which in turn means we can accelerate capability delivery to the ADF.’
The Government has included Kongsberg Defence Australia as a strategic partner in the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise. The GWEO Enterprise is backed by a commitment of up to $21 billion over the coming decade through the Government’s 2024 Integrated Investment Program.
A further report states that the Albanese government is accelerating Australia’s long-range strike capability through the acquisition of the JSM from 2025.
The Government and Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace have signed a $142M contract to deliver the JSM for use by the Australian Defence Force. The JSM is designed to allow the missile to fit into the F-35A Lightning II internal weapon bay, preserving the aircraft’s stealth characteristics. With a range of more than 275 kilometres, the JSM’s low-altitude sea-skimming flight profile helps it delay detection and engagement by a target’s defence system.
The following media release was issued on 5 September 2024: The Australian Government and Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace have signed a $142 million contract to deliver the JSM for use by the Australian Defence Force.
The accelerated acquisition was announced at the opening of Kongsberg Defence Australia’s new $25 million manufacturing facility in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. Kongsberg’s new South Australian facility will have the capacity to employ up to 150 workers and will assemble launchers for the NSM using mostly Australian‑manufactured components, creating 20 new local jobs. This announcement follows the Government’s recent commitment to partner with Kongsberg Defence Australia for the construction of the new facility at Newcastle Airport precinct, creating more than 500 jobs in the construction phase and delivering almost $100M in economic benefits to the local area. These activities are part of the Albanese 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.
