Australia Signs Deal for Naval Strike Missiles, HIMARS Launchers

Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) has won NOK 5 billion ($488 million) to provide the Commonwealth of Australia with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) and supporting equipment.

In 2022, Australia selected the NSM to replace the Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile capability under an accelerated acquisition under Project SEA1300. The NSM capability will be established and employed on the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC Class Frigates and HOBART Class Destroyers, and will enter into service from 2024.

Developed in Norway, KONGSBERG’s NSM is a fifth-generation, long-range, precision strike weapon designed to defeat heavily protected maritime targets in contested environments, with a secondary role for land attack.

Australian defense ministry said the newly procured NSMs will be employed on the Hobart-class destroyers and Anzac-class frigates, replacing the ageing Harpoon anti-ship missile on those ships from 2024.

The ministry is also buying land-based, long-range, surface-to-surface High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). This contract covers launchers, missiles and training rockets.

The combined total investment in the new acquisitions is more than AUS$1 billion ($681 million).

The HIMARS system will be in use by 2026-27.

“The Naval Strike Missile and HIMARS launchers will give our Defense Force the ability to deter conflict and protect our interests,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense, Richard Marles.

HIMARS munitions have a range of up to 300km, which is expected to increase with technological advances.

HIMARS includes a weapon-locating radar to detect and respond to land, air and maritime threats, which is being delivered by Australian company CEA.