A Norwegian aerospace company will invest $100 million in a new missile production factory in James City County.
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Inc. officials expect the new facility will open its doors in 2027. It will be the more than 200-year-old company’s first munitions assembly plant in the states.
“Today, the security landscape is dominated by geopolitical unrest and uncertainty,” said Kongsberg CEO Geir Håøy. “The war in Ukraine has highlighted the need to strengthen the industrial defense space by increasing weapon production across NATO and its partners.”
The factory will increase the company’s production capacity for two types of cruise missiles it sells to the U.S. military, and give it a stateside base from which Kongsberg can update technology in missiles post-production.
“The Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile are already trusted by the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force to defend and protect American interests,” Håøy said. “And Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is fully committed to support the U.S. armed forces.”
Officials have not yet made public where in James City County the expected 150,000-square-foot plant will be constructed.
The new factory is the latest in a series of expansions by Kongsberg, which announced earlier in the week that it will be increasing the size of its Johnstown, PA facility. There, Kongsberg creates remote weapon systems capable of delivering munitions assembled elsewhere.
The new James City County development was secured through a collaboration by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance and James City County Economic Development. More than $2 million in state grants will help fund the project.
“(Kongsberg’s) decision demonstrates one of Virginia’s key workforce advantages,” said Craig Crenshaw, Virginia secretary of veterans and defense affairs. “Which is a large group of service members exiting the military every year, well-trained in security and other key skills – and ready to serve the private sector.”
Kongsberg President Eirik Lie told WHRO that James City County’s placement near multiple military bases made the area best-suited for their expansion plans.
“We see the naval bases here with the competence we need,” Lie said. “So it all matched quite well.”
Ruth Larson, the chair of the James City County Board of Supervisors, said advanced manufacturing and technology is a major part of the regional economy despite the area’s reputation as a tourist destination.
“We are excited to add you to our already strong family of advanced manufacturing companies,” Larson said to the incoming defense contractor. “We are proud to say that we work in partnership with all citizens to ensure quality community, and we look forward to welcoming you all to that community.”
Congressman Rob Wittman, who represents the area, said the technology Kongsberg provides the U.S. military is “critical,” adding that the partnership has only become more important of late.
“We cannot deter what we see around us today – what I believe is a building Axis of Evil – we cannot do that alone,” Wittman said. “Today is a great example about how those partnerships will allow us to do what’s necessary to deter anybody around the world that wishes to do evil to others.”
