Thales and Kongsberg test new strike system

Thales Defence announced on October 23 that Australia’s StrikeMaster missile launch system successfully fired an anti-ship missile test munition in Norway.

The test involved the launch of Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile (NSM) from a platform based on Thales Australia’s Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV).

In a statement, Thales Australia said, “The Bushmaster now has fangs.”

This successful live-fire demonstrates that the combination of the NSM and the Bushmaster can provide a potent land-based maritime-strike capability.

Thales Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jeff Connolly, stated, “This successful live-fire proves the combination of the NSM and Bushmaster can provide a potent land based maritime-strike capability for Australia and our allies, and it will be made right here in Australia – supporting a sovereign industrial base.”

The system is intended to provide deterrence, capability, and protection for Australia and its allies.

According to Kongsberg Defence Australia’s Managing Director, Mr John Fry, “This firing is a clear demonstration of StrikeMaster’s capability, providing assurance in the launcher’s reliability and performance, and confirming its suitability for Australia and other nations.”

Mr. Fry added, “Our collaboration with Thales Australia enables us to offer the proven and fielded NSM CDS capability in a mobile, protected, and locally built configuration that aligns with the force structure of Australia and other nations.”

The StrikeMaster NSM CDS system will be built in Australia. Production will occur across Kongsberg Defence Australia and Thales Australia’s factories in Adelaide and Bendigo. The project will use over 150 local suppliers and is projected to create or retain 700 Australian jobs.

The NSM itself will soon be manufactured in the Kongsberg Missile Factory, which is under construction near Newcastle. Deliveries of the NSM from that site are expected to commence in 2027.