A significant milestone for Australian sovereign defence capability continues to take shape in the Hunter region, with Kongsberg Defence Australia breaking ground on their missile manufacturing and maintenance factory at Williamtown.

 

The 9,000-square metre factory is scheduled for completion in 2026, with production to commence in 2027. This factory will produce Kongsberg’s fifth generation Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and Joint Strike Missile (JSM) for the Australian Defence Force. The project marks a key milestone in the Federal Government’s $850 million investment, announced last year.

 

For the Hunter, this is more than a defence project—it's a transformative industrial development. Leveraging the region’s skilled workforce, Kongsberg’s new facility is being designed and built within Newcastle Airport’s Astra Aerolab Precinct and in close collaboration with local construction and architect firms.

 

“We’re committed to creating long-term jobs and new opportunities right here in the Hunter,” said Kongsberg Defence Australia Managing Director John Fry.

 

Over 100 new jobs will be created at the Williamtown facility, with roles spanning across leadership and business operations, supply chain and logistics, production and engineering and quality and compliance. Recruitment is already underway and Kongsberg Defence Australia is actively working with the local education ecosystem to support workforce development.

  

That includes establishing a partnership with the University of Newcastle (UoN), where Kongsberg is supporting aerospace engineering initiatives and studentled innovation, such as the NU Rocketry team. The collaboration is at the early stages and hopes to evolve into a long-term partnership focussed on workforce attraction and potential R&D collaboration.

 

The plant’s operations will be supported by an Australian supply chain with opportunities for Hunter based SMEs. Last year, Kongsberg Defence Australia engaged Cardiff-based Nupress Group, who are already delivering precision-machined components for the Naval Strike Missile capability to Kongsberg for Royal Australian Navy’s SEA 1300 Phase 1 – Navy Guided Weapons program.

 

“A number of supply chain activities are underway, with Kongsberg preparing to engage Australian suppliers. A dedicated sourcing team for the missile factory is being established locally, and I would like to see as many companies as possible from the

Hunter become part of that supply chain,” John Fry said.

 

The Kongsberg Missile Factory in Williamtown is common with Kongsberg’s ‘Nexus’ missile plant in Norway, opened last year, and recognised as the world’s most advanced missile manufacturing facility. While final integration of explosive ordnance will occur at Defence Establishment Orchard Hills in Western Sydney, the Kongsberg Missile Factory will carry out the majority of the missile manufacturing and maintenance activities.

 

“Our objective is clear: to deliver the best systems to the Australian Defence Force whilst establishing sovereign capability,” John Fry said.

 

“We’re proud to be building this capability in Williamtown that will serve the nation—and the Hunter community—for decades to come.”