SA missile maker strikes multimillion-dollar deal
Two European export deals worth $80 million have been secured by a company that makes missile launchers in South Australia.
Kongsberg Defence Australia (KDA) will soon export South Australian-made missile launchers and command and control consoles to Europe as part of two deals valued at $80 million combined.
The company is a subsidiary of Norway-based Konsberg Defence and Aerospace, with the deals heralded as a “significant milestone for Australia’s sovereign guided weapons manufacturing program” by the state and Federal governments.
KDA is part of the Commonwealth’s Global Supply Chain Program, which enables export deals for Australian-made military products.
The governments said the export deals were made possible through the Australian Naval Strike Missile procurement contract, which included an agreement for components to be made in Australia.
One $30 million agreement will see Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System Command and Control Consoles delivered to Poland.
A separate order worth $50 million is for Australian-made Naval Strike Missile Launcher Systems to be sent to Spain and Denmark.
The systems will be assembled and tested at KDA’s production and maintenance facility in Mawson Lakes, then manufactured using Australian-made components and subsystems from companies based in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
Approximately 60 jobs will be created at KDA as a result.
Federal Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the “government’s efforts to support Australia’s sovereign defence manufacturing industry have reaped further benefits with these significant export deals”.
“This is an exciting milestone for Australia’s sovereign defence manufacturing industry and a proud moment for Australian businesses to enter the global supply chain for missile manufacturing,” he said.
“It will be the first time Naval Strike Missile launchers are manufactured outside of Europe and the United States, positioning Australia as a trusted source of supply to the Naval Strike Missile capability.
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“These deals underscore the Government’s commitment to working alongside our industry partners to strengthen Australia’s role in the global defence industry.”
State Minister for Defence & Space Industries Stephen Mullighan said the deals were a “fantastic result for South Australia’s defence sector”.
KDA managing director John Fry said the export agreements were a “huge milestone” for the company.
“Together with our Australian suppliers, we have demonstrated our determination and competitiveness to be able to deliver to our parent company, Konsberg Defence & Aerospace for international customers, highlighting the capability, quality and reliability of our Australian team and supply chain,” he said.
