Norway’s F-35A Fighters Receive First JSM Missiles, Marking a New Era in Defence Power

On 28 April, Norway will reach an important milestone in its defence journey as it officially takes delivery of the first Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) for its advanced F-35A fighter aircraft. This event, marked by a ceremony at Ørland Air Base, represents not just the completion of Norway’s F-35 deliveries but also the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s military capabilities.

A Game-Changer for Norway’s Air Power

The arrival of the JSM brings a significant enhancement to Norway’s national defence. The missile is specifically designed to give fighter aircraft the ability to strike heavily defended targets at long distances, with exceptional precision and minimal risk of being detected by enemy radar systems. Brigadier Jarle Nergård, head of Air Systems at the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA), called it a capability that was once available only to major military powers.

Developed by Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) in partnership with the NDMA and the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), the JSM is a world-class missile built on cutting-edge technology. It is the only missile in its category designed to be carried internally by the F-35, preserving the aircraft’s stealth profile and long-range performance.

What Makes the Joint Strike Missile Special?

The JSM stands out for its advanced design and smart systems. It’s a fifth-generation, precision strike missile created for both land and maritime attack missions. With its internal carriage capability inside the F-35’s weapons bay, it ensures the fighter remains undetectable to enemy radars until the moment of attack.

Key Specifications of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM):

• Type: Fifth-generation, long-range precision strike missile

• Length: 4 meters

• Weight: Approximately 416 kg

• Range: Over 275 nautical miles (about 500 km)

• Speed: Subsonic

• Warhead: 120 kg high-explosive fragmentation

• Guidance: GPS, INS (Inertial Navigation System), Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM), Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker

• Communication: Two-way datalink for real-time mission updates and target re-selection

• Compatibility: Internally carried in F-35A and F-35C, externally on F-35B and other aircraft

The JSM’s advanced sensors and two-way datalink allow it to navigate through complex enemy air defences and adjust its course in flight, even receiving new targeting information while airborne. This makes it highly reliable under challenging combat conditions.

Strengthening Norway’s Deterrent Power

Brigadier Nergård emphasized the strategic importance of the missile, stating it will offer Norway a powerful deterrent capability, particularly in vast maritime regions. "It will simply not be possible to sail freely where there are F-35s equipped with the JSM," he remarked. This deterrence extends to both land-based and naval targets, providing Norway with a flexible and modern offensive tool.

The delivery of the final three F-35 aircraft earlier this month completed Norway’s largest-ever defence procurement. One of these aircraft will remain in the United States for critical software testing and integration work needed for the JSM to become fully operational with the fighter fleet.

Global Recognition and Expanding Production

The JSM has already attracted international attention. Countries like Australia, Japan, and the United States have committed to purchasing the missile, and more nations are expected to follow suit in the near future. To meet this growing demand, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, together with around 100 Norwegian subcontractors, has expanded its production capacity. A new missile factory in Kongsberg, operational since June 2024, is actively producing both the JSM and its naval variant, the Naval Strike Missile (NSM).

Plans are also underway to establish additional manufacturing facilities in Australia and the United States by 2028, ensuring a steady global supply of this cutting-edge weapon system.

A New Chapter in Norway’s Defence Story

With the arrival of the JSM and the completion of its F-35A fleet, Norway has firmly positioned itself as one of the leaders in modern air combat capability among the 20 F-35 partner nations. Around 20% of the total F-35 program budget was reserved for acquiring state-of-the-art weapons like the JSM, ensuring Norway’s air force is equipped to face modern threats for years to come.

This milestone not only enhances Norway’s national security but also showcases the country’s ability to develop world-leading defence technologies through close cooperation between its armed forces and defence industry.