Australian Navy rehearses loading NSM onto Anzac frigates

Kongsberg recently conducted essential training for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) on the loading of Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) onto Anzac-class frigates. This initiative is part of a broader program to replace the Harpoon anti-ship missile with the NSM, enhancing Australia’s naval capabilities. The training, which took place at the Australian Marine Complex in Western Australia, involved personnel from the HMAS Ballarat and Thales Explosive Ordnance Services, focusing on the safe dockside handling and ship loading of the NSM and its associated Launcher Missile Modules (LMM).

The NSM will equip not only the Anzac-class frigates but also Hobart-class destroyers and future Hunter-class frigates under Project Sea 1300 Phase 1. As Kongsberg continues to roll out the NSM, the program remains on track for the RAN to operationalize the missile by the end of 2024. John Fry, General Manager of Kongsberg Defence Australia, emphasized the local manufacturing contributions, highlighting contracts with Australian companies such as Marand to produce key components for the missile system.

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Kongsberg’s commitment to strengthening Australia’s defense industry extends beyond missile integration. The company is set to open a missile production facility in Newcastle, New South Wales, by 2027. This facility will be the first outside Norway to produce and service both NSMs and Joint Strike Missiles (JSM). Additionally, on the same day as the NSM training, Australia fast-tracked the procurement of Kongsberg’s JSM, adding another layer to the country’s growing missile capabilities.