Australia Signs Contract to Acquire JSM for F-35A

07 September 2024

The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) is a long range maritime strike and land attack capability. JSM is designed to fulfill complex missions, such as Anti-surface Warfare (ASuW) and land attack (photos: Kongsberg) 

The Albanese Government is further accelerating Australia’s long-range strike capability through the acquisition of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) from 2025. 

The 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 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 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 have the capacity to employ up to 150 workers and will assemble launchers for the Naval Strike Missile (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 a new facility at the Newcastle Airport precinct capable of manufacturing and maintaining the NSM and JSM – creating more than 500 jobs in the construction phase and delivering almost $100 million 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.

The Albanese Government continues to deliver on the rapid establishment of domestic missile manufacturing and accelerate the acquisition of long-range strike capability, advancing our national security through a future made in Australia.

(Aus DoD)