Kongsberg & Patria enter into agreement on missile systems

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Patria have entered into an agreement to develop opportunities for cooperation on missile systems. The agreement comprises the establishment of a Missile Competence Centre in Finland, Open Tactical Framework (OTF) core technologies and system architecture software for missile programmes in Finland and international opportunities linked to these capabilities.

The Missile Competence Centre will focus on advanced missile system technology, to support both the Finnish Defence Forces in effective local security of supply and supporting industrial missile development activities with Kongsberg’s global present and future customer base.

Kongsberg and Patria have a long successful cooperation in Finland delivering NASAMS air defence and Remote Weapon Stations. With this new agreement, the two companies enter into a deeper cooperation to pursue new opportunities in missile systems and coastal defence systems building a long-term partnership for Finnish and international markets.

In March 2016, Kongsberg announced the procurement of 49.9% of the shares in Patria Oyj, creating a Nordic defence giant. Patria owns 50% of Nammo and together, Kongsberg, Patria and Nammo have complimentary products, as well as key geographical areas that strengthen each other. The governments of Norway and Finland hold a majority stake in respectively Kongsberg and Patria.

The ownership structure, combined with Patria’s position in Finland and Kongsberg’s global alliances and position in Norway, makes the alliance considerably stronger in a growing global defence market. The alliance has more than 12.000 employees and a turn-over of more than NOK23 billion (€2,5 billion).

“I am very proud to sign this agreement with Patria on behalf of Kongsberg. We see interesting opportunities working together and are ready to share technology and competence in a long-term partnership with Patria,” Eirik Lie, President, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, says.

“This is only a starting point for a long-term cooperation on Missile Systems between Patria and Kongsberg. Our goals are ambitious. Patria and Kongsberg join their industrial potentials in order to increase defence capabilities of both countries as well as support the economic development of our countries,” Olli Isotalo, President and CEO, Patria, concludes.