New site for missile builds
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Australia is buying new missiles to boost its long-range strike capability.
The federal government has announced the acquisition of the Norwegian Joint Strike Missile (JSM), which it says will help the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to engage enemy ships and land targets.
The $142 million deal with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace will see the JSM integrated into the internal weapons bay of Australia’s fleet of F-35A Lightning II fighter jets by 2025.
As part of this effort, Kongsberg has established a new $25 million manufacturing facility at Mawson Lakes, South Australia, which will support assembly of the missile systems and related components.
The JSM, which boasts a range exceeding 275 kilometres, will provide the RAAF with a more sophisticated means of engaging maritime and land-based targets.
The missile's low-altitude, sea-skimming flight profile enhances its ability to avoid detection by enemy radar systems, a feature critical to the stealth capabilities of the F-35A.
The announcement comes amid concerns about the reliability of global supply chains for advanced weaponry.
The government’s decision to fast-track the acquisition of the JSM, alongside its broader Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise plan, is seen as a move to mitigate potential supply disruptions in times of conflict.
Under the GWEO initiative, Defence will spend between $16 and $21 billion over the next decade on missile production and ordnance development.
The contract with Kongsberg is also seen as a way to strengthen international defence ties, particularly with Norway, Japan, and the United States, all operators of the JSM.