A major construction milestone has been achieved for the Kongsberg Missile Factory at Astra Aerolab Precinct, Newcastle Airport, with a topping out ceremony held on 19 May 2026.
The ceremony marked the building reaching its highest structural point and recognised the significant progress being made on the nationally important defence manufacturing facility.
The event brought together the Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry, AIRMSHL Leon Phillips OAM, Chief Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance, Mr Erik Svedahl, Deputy Head of Mission at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Australia, alongside project partners KONGSBERG, Multiplex and Newcastle Airport, members of the Commonwealth of Australia, and representatives from the Hunter business community.
As part of the traditional topping out ceremony, a ceremonial tree was installed to symbolise growth, resilience and the enduring legacy of the project.
The Kongsberg Missile Factory will become the first Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile factory established outside Norway, strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capability while delivering significant economic benefits for the Hunter region.
To date, 74 per cent of project trade value has been awarded locally, with $36.3 million in local expenditure supporting regional subcontractors, suppliers, jobs and economic activity.
Construction will now progress through the final stages ahead of completion in early 2027, with KONGSBERG Australia expected to occupy the facility in Q1 2027.
