Germany’s parliamentary approval of a $645 million Norwegian missile deal signals strengthening NATO defense cooperation and enhanced interoperability among European F-35 operators.
Germany’s parliament has approved a planned purchase of the Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Joint Strike Missile (JSM), with the precision-attack weapon to arm its future fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35As. The Bundestag cleared the deal on June 4, with the announcement following the next day.
The government-to-government transaction will be worth around NKr6.5 billion ($645 million) to Norwegian prime contractor Kongsberg, marking a significant step in European defense integration. The deal makes Germany the fifth nation to select the JSM for its F-35 fleet, joining Australia, Japan, Norway and the United States.
“We are pleased to welcome Germany as the fifth nation to select the JSM for its F-35 fleet,” says Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace president Eirik Lie.
Strategic Alliance Framework
The procurement will be handled through existing NATO partnership channels, with Norway purchasing JSM missiles from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace on behalf of Germany, according to the Norwegian defence ministry. The transaction will be advanced by Oslo’s Defence Material Agency under the terms of their existing bilateral Naval Defence Material Cooperation agreement.
“An already close cooperation on missiles becomes even more important when both German and Norwegian F-35 fighters are to be equipped with the Joint Strike Missile,” says Norwegian defence minister Tore O Sandvik.
Berlin is already a customer for the surface- and submarine-launched Naval Ship Missile from which the JSM weapon was derived, establishing a foundation for the expanded cooperation.
Technical Capabilities and Integration
The JSM represents advanced precision-strike technology optimized for fifth-generation fighter operations. The weapon has an all-up weight of around 416kg (917lb) and is designed to be carried internally by the F-35, maintaining the aircraft’s stealth characteristics.
“The JSM’s navigation system, flight profile and automatic target recognition technology make it a great match for the F-35,” Lie adds. The long-range weapon is optimized for use against strategic land and maritime targets.
The Royal Norwegian Air Force took delivery of its first JSM rounds in late April, with the system undergoing final integration testing with the stealth fighter. Norway also received its last of 52 F-35As earlier this year, completing its replacement of Lockheed F-16s.
Timeline and Implementation
“Negotiations are ongoing,” Kongsberg’s defence unit says. “The contract is expected to be signed by the end of the first half of 2025.”
Germany is acquiring 35 examples of the F-35A to replace a subset of its Panavia Tornado ground-attack fleet. Deliveries are scheduled to commence to the Luftwaffe during 2027.
The Norwegian defence ministry has not disclosed the number of weapons expected to be included in the German transaction.
Key Takeaways
- Germany becomes the fifth nation to select JSM missiles for F-35 operations, strengthening NATO weapons standardization.
- The $645 million deal demonstrates growing European defense cooperation through existing bilateral frameworks.
- Joint procurement arrangements between NATO allies enhance interoperability and cost-effectiveness in advanced weapons systems.
