Kongsberg Defence Australia has announced the commencement of in-country manufacturing activities for the Fire Distribution Centre (FDC) shelter subsystem by Adelaide Hills-based Zenith Custom Creations under the Land 19 Phase 7B program, which will deliver a National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) capability for the Australian Army.
NASAMS is a Ground-based Air Defence system with beyond-visual-range capability that will enable the Army to detect, engage, and destroy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missile threats.
Local production of Kongsberg Defence Australia’s FDC shelter subsystem commenced with the cutting of steel for the first two shelters, which are being fabricated by Zenith Custom Creations in their Mt Barker facility. The shelter subsystems will be delivered as part of Daronmont Technologies’ subcontract to Kongsberg Defence Australia.
The start of local manufacturing follows the successful completion of Production Readiness Reviews for a number of Australian suppliers involved in delivering the NASAMS capability.
“We’re proud to partner with Australian businesses such as Zenith Custom Creations, and develop a sovereign industry capability in the manufacture and support of NASAMS," Kongsberg Defence Australia General Manager, John Fry, said. "Zenith Custom Creations have an excellent track record and have demonstrated their ability to manufacture to demanding specifications, which will be suitable for not only the Australian Defence Force, but for Kongsberg’s global supply chain,” Fry said.
“Some of Australia’s most innovative technologies will be incorporated into the enhanced NASAMS solution for the Australian Army," Raytheon Australia Managing Director, Michael Ward, said. "As prime contractor for Land 19 Phase 7B, we are committed to Australian Industry Capability for the program, and establishing an enduring sovereign Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability.”
Kongsberg Defence Australia says it will assemble and conduct sub-system level integration of the Fire Distribution Centre and NASAMS Classroom Trainers in Adelaide using predominantly Australian supplied components.