Norway’s Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace is opening a new missile production facility in Virginia to meet rising global demand amid conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. The location in James City County will focus on Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) and Joint Strike Missiles (JSM), which are used on the U.S. Air Force’s F-35A fighter jet. Kongsberg already has a production facility in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The decision to open the new U.S. facility was influenced by the possibility of a multiyear procurement contract from the Department of Defense.
Kongsberg plans to hire more than 180 people for the new missile factory in Virginia, investing over $100 million in property, plant, and equipment. The company aims to support American interests while creating local jobs. Saab, another Nordic country, is also expanding its missile production in the U.S. by opening a new facility to produce ground combat weapons and missile systems.
The Swedish company plans to quadruple its global capacity to produce ground combat weapons, supporting programs like the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb. These investments reflect the strong and long-term demand for missile technology and the need to enhance defense capabilities.
