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Australian advanced manufacturer Aerobond has officially cleared first article inspection for key components of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) launcher, marking a major milestone in the development of sovereign defence capabilities.
Passing Kongsberg’s stringent first article inspection (FAI) requirements confirms that Aerobond’s production processes and components meet the highest quality and technical standards. This achievement clears the way for serial production of the launcher canisters, which will form a critical part of the NSM system to be rolled out with the Royal Australian Navy’s surface combatants.
Aerobond managing director Justin Struik welcomed the news, calling it a pivotal moment for the company and Australia’s broader defence industry.
“It is fantastic to see this critical milestone reached, just 18 months after we moved into our new facility in Woodville and 20 months after we were awarded the contract to manufacture components for the Naval Strike Missile launcher canister,” Struik said.
The Naval Strike Missile, developed by Norwegian defence company Kongsberg, is a long-range, precision-guided missile designed for naval strike operations against heavily defended maritime and land targets. It is capable of flying at sea-skimming altitudes and performing evasive manoeuvres to evade enemy defences.
“The launcher canister will be manufactured right here in Australia,” Struik added. “This demonstrates Kongsberg’s strong commitment to maximising local content and strengthening Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability.”
With a range exceeding 185 kilometres, the NSM provides a potent strike capability well beyond the range of Australia’s current anti-ship systems.
Australia selected the NSM in April 2022 to replace the ageing Harpoon missile system aboard the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) surface fleet, including the Anzac Class frigates and Hobart Class destroyers. The decision was driven by the need for a modern, survivable and highly capable anti-ship missile that could be integrated into existing Australian naval platforms.
As part of this program, Kongsberg has partnered with Australian industry to maximise local content and boost sovereign defence capability. Aerobond’s role in producing the launcher canisters represents a key element of this local commitment. The company’s Woodville facility has become a hub for advanced, precision manufacturing for mission-critical defence applications, further embedding Australian expertise into the supply chain.
The successful progression of the NSM program comes amid rising strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific, as Australia seeks to enhance the resilience and capability of its defence forces.
The NSM’s selection underscores the government’s commitment to equipping the RAN with cutting-edge technology to deter and, if necessary, respond to regional threats.
