Germany to Equip F-35 Fleet with Joint Strike Missile in $650M Deal

The German government has approved the procurement of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) from Kongsberg for its F-35 fighter jets in a government-to-government agreement with Norway.

This deal expected to be worth around NOK 6.5 billion (nearly $650 million).

The Bundestag approved the acquisition on June 4, clearing the way for Norway’s Defence Material Agency (NDMA) to act as the formal contracting party on behalf of Kongsberg under the existing Naval Defence Material Cooperation framework between the two nations. The contract is expected to be finalized by the end of the first half of 2025.

Germany is the fifth country to adopt the JSM, joining Norway, Japan, Australia and the United States.

Designed for precision strike missions, the JSM can be used against both sea and land targets. It features a highly accurate navigation system, low-altitude flight profile, and automatic target recognition supported by an imaging infrared seeker. The missile also includes an advanced mission planning system to exploit terrain and maritime geography.

According to Kongsberg, the JSM has a high subsonic speed, weighs 416 kg, and has a range exceeding 350 kilometers.