Norway’s Kongsberg to Supply Joint Strike Missiles for Japan’s F-35A Fighter Fleet.

Norwegian Company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) announced on November 1, 2024, that it has secured a substantial NOK 1.9 billion ($172 million USD) follow-on contract with Japan to deliver additional Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) for Japan’s F-35A fleet. This marks the fourth follow-on order and underscores the strategic importance of the JSM in Japan's defense modernization efforts. As Japan focuses on bolstering its national security in the Indo-Pacific, KONGSBERG's advanced missile technology is helping to address key threats and operational needs in the region.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

An F-35A fighter jet from Japan's 302nd Squadron stationed at JASDF Misawa Air Base (Picture source: Wikimedia)

The Joint Strike Missile (JSM), a state-of-the-art 5th-generation air-to-surface missile, is engineered to integrate seamlessly with advanced platforms like the F-35A Lightning II. Specifically designed to enhance Japan’s anti-surface warfare (ASuW) and land-attack capabilities, the JSM gives the F-35A an added combat edge with precision and versatility, allowing it to address a diverse range of mission types and tactical challenges. Developed with a low radar cross-section, the JSM retains the stealth profile of the F-35A, enabling both aircraft and missiles to penetrate highly contested environments with minimal detection risk. With an operational range exceeding 500 kilometers, the missile offers the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force an extended reach, enabling the F-35A to engage targets at significant stand-off distances.

Equipped with advanced navigation and guidance systems, including GPS and inertial navigation, the JSM can navigate complex environments and adapt to various target profiles. Its passive infrared (IR) and imaging seeker enable high-precision targeting, minimizing the risk of collateral damage while increasing mission success rates. These features make the JSM capable of engaging both static and moving targets, including naval vessels, command posts, and other high-value assets.

When integrated with the F-35A, the JSM significantly enhances Japan's strike capabilities, allowing the F-35A to conduct stealth operations without compromising its radar signature. The missile’s compact design fits within the F-35A’s internal weapons bay, preserving the aircraft's low-observable profile and ensuring tactical surprise in anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) environments. Leveraging the F-35A’s advanced sensors and data fusion capabilities, pilots can accurately identify, designate, and engage high-value targets. The JSM’s advanced seeker and guidance systems enhance targeting precision, making it highly effective for strikes on high-risk or heavily defended assets.

The JSM’s compatibility with the F-35A’s networked combat systems enhances real-time adaptability and interoperability, allowing pilots to respond to dynamic battlefield conditions with agility. Through integration with the aircraft's sensors, the JSM benefits from real-time information-sharing and mid-flight target updates, further amplifying mission flexibility. Combining the JSM’s stand-off range with the F-35A’s stealth and countermeasures increases survivability for both the aircraft and the missile, reducing exposure to enemy defenses and improving mission outcomes.

Japan first ordered the JSM in 2018, and this follow-on contract continues Japan’s strategic investment in advanced weapon systems. The agreement reaffirms the growing defense cooperation between Japan, Norway, and KONGSBERG and reflects Japan’s commitment to maintaining a technologically advanced defense posture in light of rising security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region.

With Norway, Australia, and the United States Air Force also adopting the JSM, the missile’s user community has continued to grow, improving interoperability and strengthening allied capabilities. Integrating the JSM into Japan’s F-35A fleet is expected to provide a flexible, long-range strike capability essential to safeguarding national security and ensuring operational superiority in increasingly complex defense environments.