Work Starts On Australian Missile Factory

Construction work has started on a new Kongsberg Defence Australia missile factory in New South Wales which will enhance the country's ability to manufacture and maintain long-range strike weapons such as the Naval Strike Missile (NSM).

As per a recent company press statement, building work on the new facility in Williamtown, near Newcastle was marked with a special ceremony towards the end of last week. The new factory will be situated inside the Astra Aerolab Business Park, Australia’s newest defence and aerospace precinct, in close proximity to both Newcastle Airport and RAAF Base Williamtown, the nation's largest fighter aircraft base.

The Kongsberg missile factory will build and maintain the firm's NSM and the related Joint Strike Missile (JSM), cruise missiles capable of both maritime strike and land attack, both of which are being acquired by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The Williamtown factory will prioritise the needs of the ADF whilst providing capacity to meet growing global demand.

Kongsberg Defence Australia’s Managing Director John Fry commented: “This project is a testament to the Commonwealth of Australia’s commitment to establishing domestic production of Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO).”

According to Kongsberg  the new factory will create more than 500 jobs in the region and bring $100 million in related economic benefits. If it stays on schedule, building work will be finished by mid-2026, with full-rate missile production targeted by the end of 2028.

• You can read more details on the Kongsberg website