Marand announces extension to KONGSBERG Naval Strike Missile (NSM) collaboration 7 September, 2023

Marand has announced an additional contract from Kongsberg Defence Australia to produce structural Launcher Frames and Rails for the KONGSBERG Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Launcher Canisters being delivered under Project SEA 1300. These are key components for the NSM Launcher Missile Module (LMM) which constitutes the All Up Round. This follows on from Marand’s announcement in February that they had been contracted by Kongsberg Defence Australia to manufacture NSM Launcher Ramp Systems.

Last year, the Commonwealth of Australia announced the selection of the NSM to replace the Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile capability on the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC Class Frigates and HOBART Class Destroyers. The NSM is a fifth generation, highly capable, long-range, precision strike weapon that will provide an advanced maritime strike capability to the Royal Australian Navy.

John Fry, General Manager, Kongsberg Defence Australia said “We have been working closely with Marand and are delighted to award this additional contract to them, further expanding our existing relationship. Marand is a very capable Australian manufacturer and we see them as an important local partner on this project where KONGSBERG is maximising local manufacturing content within an accelerated delivery schedule. These launcher components are significant elements of the Naval Strike Missile and the local production of these systems demonstrate our commitment to furthering Australian manufacturing in support of the Sovereign Guided Weapon Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise”.

Marand CEO Rohan Stocker said “We are very pleased to be awarded this contract. As well as the Project Management, procurement and assembly processes at Marand we have leveraged the broader group to bring best of breed in detail component machining and surface treatment processes. We have the capabilities and capacity required for GWEO, where size and production rate are key drivers, so we are pleased that has been recognised. Finally, we have appreciated the technical rigour from KONGSBERG in Norway and Australia, and the excellent teamwork we have seen.”

Production of the Launch Ramp Systems is already underway, and under this additional contract, production of the Launcher Frame and Rails will commence immediately.