KONGSBERG to Establish Missile Production Facility in US.

Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace announced on September 17, 2024, its intention to build a state-of-the-art missile production facility in the United States, aimed at meeting the growing global demand for its advanced missile systems. Following recent expansions in Norway and the establishment of a missile factory in Australia, this new facility will be located in James City County, Virginia, strategically positioned near key US Navy installations.
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The establishment of this facility will increase overall US manufacturing capabilities, particularly in the production of advanced missile systems (Picture source: Kongsberg)

The site will enhance production capacity, sustainment, and in-country technological refresh capabilities for KONGSBERG’s Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) and Joint Strike Missiles (JSM). Geir Håøy, CEO of KONGSBERG, emphasized that these new missile production facilities in the US, Australia, and Norway are intended to address robust long-term demand for the company’s technology and the critical need to strengthen collective defense capabilities. The company's established history in the US is significant, and the decision to invest further aims to support American interests while creating local jobs.

This announcement marks KONGSBERG's second new missile production facility disclosed in recent months. The decision to locate this facility in the US was heavily influenced by the possibility of the Department of Defense awarding a multiyear procurement contract to KONGSBERG. Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, noted that the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force are important customers for the NSM and JSM. Their demand has provided the predictability necessary for this investment, enabling KONGSBERG to better serve its allies in the US and expand its local supply chain for these critical capabilities.

The establishment of this facility will increase overall US manufacturing capabilities, particularly in the production of advanced missile systems. Heather Armentrout, president and general manager of Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace, Inc., stated that the Virginia facility is expected to hire more than 180 people, and KONGSBERG will invest over $100 million in property, plant, and equipment in the Commonwealth of Virginia over the coming years. This investment complements ongoing expansions at the company’s main production facility in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

The James City County facility will be equipped to assemble, upgrade, and repair both NSM and JSM. The NSM is an anti-ship missile known for its operational performance and high survivability against enemy defense systems, while the JSM is an air-launched strike missile capable of performing complex missions, including anti-surface warfare and land attacks. The JSM is designed to be deployed internally within the weapons bay of the US Air Force’s F-35A, preserving the aircraft's low observability during strike missions. KONGSBERG’s JSM is distinguished as the only long-range precision strike munition offering this capability.