Joint Strike Missile acquisition expedited

The government is further accelerating Australia’s long-range strike capability through the acquisition of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) beginning next year.

FILE PHOTO: A Joint Strike Missile (orange) loaded in an internal weapon’s bay of a US Air Force F-35 Joint Strike Fighter during test and evaluation trials. Image supplied by Kongsberg to the ADF for distribution to media.

Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has signed a $142 million contract with the Australian government to deliver JSMs for use by the Australian Defence Force.

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, JSM’s low-altitude, sea-skimming flight profile helps it delay detection and engagement by a target’s defence systems.

Accelerated acquisition was announced today alongside Norway’s Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram 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 assemble launchers for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) using mostly Australian‑manufactured components.

Today’s announcement follows the government’s recent commitment to partner with Kongsberg in construction of a new facility at the Newcastle Airport precinct capable of manufacturing and maintaining the NSM and JSM.

Minister for Defence Richard Marles said this announcement builds on the government’s commitment to enhance the ADF’s ability to precisely strike targets at a longer range, while also manufacturing more in Australia.

“Whether it is in Newcastle or Adelaide, the government is committed to working with industry to support more local jobs, deliver the capabilities needed to keep Australians safe and build a future made in Australia,” Mr Marles said.

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said signing this contract with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace to fast-track the acquisition of Joint Strike Missile to 2025 is another example of the government moving quickly to acquire the capabilities needed to keep Australians safe.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates the strong partnership between Australia, Norway and Kongsberg to expedite and uplift guided weapons capabilities,” Mr Conroy said.​

JSM is an air-launched strike missile designed to fulfil complex missions, such as ship-at-sea attack and land attack.

Primary targets are typically movable, highly defended and high-value assets on the sea surface, in coastal waters or on land.

JSM has advanced on-board, off-board and in-flight mission-planning capability and can engage targets based on a pre-defined set of rules-of-engagement.

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