KONGSBERG expands presence in South Australia

Kongsberg Defence Australia has announced a significant investment in a dedicated facility, located in Mawson Lakes, to assist in the delivery and support of existing and future Defence acquisition programs.

Kongsberg Defence Australia is a local subsidiary of the Norwegian Defence company, Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, a leading global technology company specialising in areas including Command, Control, Computing, and Communication (C4) systems, Ground Based Air Defence, remote weapon systems, and precision strike missiles. 

Kongsberg Defence Australia supports Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace with the local manufacture, assembly, integration and test of the C4 system for the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) capability, which is currently under production for the Australian Army through Raytheon Australia.

Kongsberg Defence Australia is also under contract with Hanwha Defence Australia as its C4 softwareintegration partner under Project LAND 8116 Phase 1. Under this contract, Kongsberg DefenceAustralia will integrate the Protected Mobile Fires capability into the Army’s C4 Force Structure. This involves the provision of the CORTEX Integrated Combat Solution (ICS) architecture and Fire Control System, and integration of tactical communication systems and Battle Management Systems.

Most recently, in April 2022, the Commonwealth of Australia announced the accelerated acquisition of the KONGSBERG Naval Strike Missile to replace Harpoon on both of the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC Class Frigates and HOBART Class Destroyers under Project SEA 1300. This project will see this fifth generation precision strike missile enter service with the Navy from 2024.

KONGSBERG is committed to technology transfer and establishing a local supplier base to support its programs. In order to support the local production and sustainment activities on these current and planned programs, a new purpose‐built facility is required. The new 2500 sqm facility will be located in South Australia’s Technology Park ‐ a vibrant, business hub currently home to many global Defence and technology companies. It will support a range of activities including hardware manufacture, assembly, integration, test, verification, and maintenance, as well as software development and support.

John Fry, Kongsberg Defence Australia’s General Manager said “With current activities and future growth opportunities, this significant investment in a new facility in Mawson Lakes is an important demonstration of our long‐term commitment to Australia and the region. This facility is the first in the Asia‐Pacific region for KONGSBERG’s Defence business and will create more than 50 highly‐skilled jobs, all supporting capability delivery to the Australian Defence Force.”

Kongsberg Defence Australia is partnering with local Adelaide company, Parkside‐based Section Six Architects, for the design phase of the facility and has just completed an Early Contractor Involvement phase to select a local South Australian construction company for the construction of the Mawson Lakes Facility. 

Facility construction will generate many local jobs commencing in January 2023 with plans for the facility to be fully occupied and operational by early 2024.

Kongsberg Defence Australia recognises the importance of sustainability and is incorporating various environmental requirements into the building design. The Mawson Lakes Facility will achieve a gold accreditation under the world renowned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) system.

Quotes attributable to Susan Close, Deputy Premier of South Australia “South Australia’s reputation for being known as the country’s Defence State will be further boosted by the investment being made in Mawson Lakes by Norwegian defence and technology company, Kongsberg.   

“Their first Defence facility within the Asia‐Pacific region will provide South Australians with skilled jobs that contribute to Australia’s Defence Force and will also bring opportunities for collaboration and partnerships within their global supply chain.”

Quotes attributable to South Australian Trade and Investment Minister Nick Champion: "This increased investment in South Australia is welcome and exciting news for defence capabilities in our State.

"Global investment breeds confidence, and confidence breeds greater investment ‐ that equates to a strong economy and more jobs.

"It will create new opportunities for local businesses to contribute to high technology defence programs both in South Australia and nationally."