The NSM CDS consoles are adapted from the NASAMS air defence consoles currently in use by the Australian Army. Key components and subsystems for the consoles will be manufactured domestically by Australian companies REDARC Defence & Space, Eylex, and QPE Advanced Machining. Final assembly and testing will take place at Kongsberg’s state-of-the-art facility in Mawson Lakes, South Australia.
The contract will generate up to 30 new positions within Kongsberg Defence Australia and its supply chain, bolstering the local workforce. Managing Director John Fry described the deal as a significant milestone, highlighting the company’s commitment to collaborating with Australian suppliers to compete internationally. “This will be our first export under the Commonwealth’s Global Supply Chain Program, creating opportunities for our local suppliers in the global market,” he added.
Erin Hamblin, Global Supply Chain Program Manager for Kongsberg Defence Australia, emphasised the importance of fostering local partnerships. She called the deal “a great example of how Primes like Kongsberg work with Australian industry to deliver advanced technological capabilities to global customers.”
Preparations for the supply chain and manufacturing of the consoles will begin immediately, with deliveries slated to start in 2026. The consoles form part of a larger Coastal Defence System contract between Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Poland.
This development underscores South Australia’s growing role in defence manufacturing and highlights Australia’s potential as a competitive player in the international defence industry.
