The ceremony brought together Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy, Chief Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Air Marshal Leon Phillips, and Erik Svedahl, Deputy Head of Mission at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Australia. Project partners Multiplex and Newcastle Airport, representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, and members of the Hunter business community also attended.
The topping out ceremony is a long-standing construction tradition that marks a building reaching its highest point. The event included the installation of a ceremonial tree, symbolising growth, resilience and the lasting legacy of the project.
Kongsberg said construction of the factory is on track and well advanced. The facility will be the first Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile factory outside Norway.
The project is already delivering local economic benefits. Kongsberg said 74 per cent of project trade value has been awarded locally, with $36.3 million in local expenditure incurred to date.
The company said the figures reflect significant engagement with local subcontractors and suppliers. It said the work is supporting jobs and economic activity in the region.
“The construction of the Kongsberg Missile Factory, the first Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile factory outside of Norway, is on track and well advanced,” said John Fry, Managing Director KONGSBERG Australia.
“This milestone reflects the strength of collaboration with our delivery partners. Reaching the highest point of construction is a significant achievement and a testament to the teams on the ground driving this project forward,” Fry said.
Fry said KONGSBERG Australia will occupy the Kongsberg Missile Factory in the first quarter of 2027. Construction will now continue through its final stages ahead of completion early next year.
Newcastle Airport Chief Executive Linc Horton said the project underlined the defence industrial role of the Astra Aerolab precinct and the Hunter region. “Today’s Topping Out highlights the important role Astra Aerolab and the Hunter region plays in supporting Australia’s sovereign defence industry,” Horton said.
“With the support of our partner Multiplex, we are proud to be developing this facility to support KONGSBERG Australia and the Commonwealth with this nationally significant project,” Horton added.
Multiplex NSW Regional Managing Director David Ghannoum said the company was proud to deliver the facility. “We are proud to be delivering this highly secure facility in support of Australia’s defence capabilities,” Ghannoum said.
“The Kongsberg Missile Factory builds on Multiplex’s global track record in delivering complex, secure government infrastructure, and we look forward to completing the project early next year,” Ghannoum added.
