Kongsberg begins building missile factory in Virginia

The Norwegian defense conglomerate Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has begun construction of its first U.S. factory for the production and maintenance of precision missiles in James City County, Virginia. The factory, located in Toano between Richmond and Williamsburg near Naval Station Yorktown, will support global demand for Kongsberg's Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and Joint Strike Missile (JSM), both fifth-generation cruise missiles capable of sea and land attacks. The new facility will provide increased production capacity, maintenance, and technical updates in the U.S. for these systems. Kongsberg secured a multi-year U.S. Navy contract for the NSM in 2024, and the U.S. Air Force selected the JSM for its F-35A fighters. Announced in September 2024, the factory is expected to create over 180 jobs, with manufacturing starting in late 2027 and full production in 2028