Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has been awarded a contract by the Government of Japan to supply and deliveries of Joint Missile Strike (JSM) for their F-35 fighter aircraft fleet. Japan began the JSM project in 2008 and it was completed mid-2018 following several successful test firings.
“This is an important international breakthrough which demonstrates the importance of cooperation between Norwegian authorities, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment and Norwegian industry”, said Kongsberg CEO Geir Håøy.
The JSM is the only long-range land and sea target missile that can be carried in the F-35 fighter jets internally and the deal ensures the aircraft's stealth capabilities will remain intact. A new missile, the JSM will expand the F-35's overall capabilities. At present, no other missile on the market can perform the same type of missions.
Kongsberg
Source: Kongsberg
“The international F-35 user consortium is showing great interest in the JSM and KONGSBERG is very proud to have been selected by Japan to provide the JSM for their F-35 fleet. This is a major milestone for the JSM program, entering into the production phase”, said Eirik Lie, President, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS.
Neither the Japanese Government or Kongsberg have disclosed the value or volume of the contract.
The contract follows the recent coming into action of a free-trade agreement between Japan and the EU. The Kongsberg deal is believed to further the argument for a similar deal between Norway, a non-EU European nation, and Japan.
The purchase of the JSM system is part of a wider effort in Japan to strength defences amid concerns over China's increasing military might and presence in the South China Sea, as well as continued threats from North Korea.
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