KONGSBERG Secures NOK 4.7 Billion Joint Strike Missile Order from Sixth International Customer
Source: KONGSBERG Press Release, KONGSBERG signs NOK 4.7 bn order for Joint Strike Missile, June 30, 2026.
AeroMorning – John Smith – July 1, 2026
Norwegian defense company KONGSBERG has announced a new contract worth NOK 4.7 billion (approximately €400 million) for the delivery of its Joint Strike Missile (JSM) to an undisclosed customer, marking the sixth nation to select the weapon for its fighter aircraft fleet.
The announcement was made in a company press release issued on June 30, 2026. KONGSBERG did not reveal the identity of the customer or the number of missiles included in the contract.
Sixth customer for the JSM
With this latest contract, the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) has now been selected by six nations, reinforcing its position as a leading long-range precision weapon specifically designed for fifth-generation combat aircraft. A summary of confirmed operators and customers is provided below.
A missile designed for fifth-generation fighters
Developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, the Joint Strike Missile is the air-launched derivative of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM). It was redesigned to fit inside the internal weapons bay of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, thereby preserving the aircraft’s low-observable characteristics.
Unlike many traditional cruise missiles, the JSM combines a stealthy airframe with advanced autonomous target recognition, allowing it to operate in heavily defended environments while engaging both maritime and land targets.
Main characteristics
| Feature | Joint Strike Missile |
| Type | Air-launched precision strike missile |
| Length | Approximately 4.0 m |
| Weight | Around 416 kg |
| Warhead | Approximately 120 kg blast-fragmentation |
| Range | Estimated over 500 km (official figure undisclosed) |
| Guidance | INS/GPS, Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker, terrain-reference navigation, two-way data link |
| Flight profile | Low observable, sea-skimming and terrain-following |
| Targets | Land targets and surface combatants |
Aircraft compatibility
The JSM was primarily developed for the F-35A and F-35C, making it one of the few long-range cruise missiles integrated within the F-35’s internal weapons bays. It can also be carried externally on the F-35B.
KONGSBERG has also announced compatibility or planned integration with several other combat aircraft, including:
- Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
- Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
- Boeing F-15E/EX Eagle II
- Saab JAS 39 Gripen E
- Eurofighter Typhoon (proposed integration)
Main competitors
| Missile | Manufacturer | Country |
| AGM-158 JASSM / JASSM-ER | Lockheed Martin | United States |
| Storm Shadow / SCALP-EG | MBDA | Europe |
| Taurus KEPD 350 | Taurus Systems | Germany / Sweden |
| SOM-J | Roketsan | Türkiye |
| SPEAR 3 | MBDA UK | United Kingdom |
Among these systems, the JSM remains distinctive in being designed for internal carriage on the F-35, enabling long-range strike missions without compromising the aircraft’s stealth profile.
Current operators and customers
As of July 2026, the following nations have officially selected the Joint Strike Missile:
| Country | Status |
| Norway | Operational |
| Japan | Ordered |
| Australia | Ordered |
| United States | Selected for F-35 integration and procurement |
| Germany | Ordered |
| Undisclosed nation | Contract announced on June 30, 2026 |
Growing international demand
The latest order reflects increasing international demand for long-range precision weapons capable of operating in highly contested environments. As more air forces bring the F-35 Lightning II into service, demand is expected to grow for missiles that preserve the aircraft’s low-observable capabilities while delivering deep-strike and anti-ship effects.
For KONGSBERG, the new contract further expands the international footprint of the Joint Strike Missile and reinforces its position as one of the company’s flagship defense products.
Source: KONGSBERG
