Breaking News: Germany Acquires Norwegian JSM Missiles To Enhance F-35 Fighter Jets Long-Range Strike Capabilities
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According to information published by the Norwegian Government on June 25, 2025, Germany has signed a major defense agreement with Norway to procure Joint Strike Missiles (JSMs) from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. The deal, valued at approximately NOK 6.5 billion, or around €565 million, was formalized during the NATO summit in The Hague by Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. This high-profile signing marks a significant milestone in bilateral defense cooperation and provides Germany with a key precision-strike capability for its incoming fleet of German Air Force F-35A multirole stealth fighter jets.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Norwegian Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace JSM Joint Strike Missile mounted on an F-35 fighter jet designed for long-range precision strike missions. (Picture source: Kongsberg)
The decision follows an earlier announcement made by German authorities on June 5, 2025, confirming their intent to acquire the JSM (Joint Strike Missile) through a government-to-government framework. After undergoing political evaluation in the Bundestag, the agreement was expected to be finalized in the first half of the year. As part of the arrangement, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency will purchase the missiles from Kongsberg on behalf of Germany, with its German counterpart BAAINBw acting as the co-signatory. This structure is based on existing bilateral frameworks used for previous defense acquisitions, including the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and the upcoming Super Sonic Strike Missile (3SM).
The JSM is a fifth-generation, air-launched cruise missile developed by Kongsberg in partnership with Raytheon Missiles & Defense. It is specifically designed for integration with the F-35’s internal weapons bay, preserving the aircraft’s low-observable profile. With an operational range exceeding 500 kilometers, a 400-kilogram warhead, and advanced guidance systems including GPS/INS navigation, an infrared imaging seeker, and autonomous target recognition, the JSM provides unmatched flexibility to engage both land and maritime targets in high-threat environments. Its survivability is further enhanced by its stealthy design and sophisticated electronic counter-countermeasures.
The tactical and combat value of equipping the German F-35A with the JSM is significant. By enabling the stealth fighter to strike high-value and time-sensitive targets from stand-off distances, Germany gains the ability to conduct deep precision strikes while minimizing exposure to enemy air defenses. This capability is crucial in both contested and denied airspace scenarios, where conventional munitions might not reach their targets or expose the aircraft to risk. The JSM also enhances the F-35’s role as a multi-domain platform capable of shaping the battlespace, supporting joint force operations, and deterring aggression through credible precision strike options.
This acquisition directly supports Germany’s broader strategy to modernize its armed forces and enhance NATO interoperability. In 2022, Berlin committed to purchasing 35 Lockheed Martin F-35A aircraft to replace its aging Tornado fleet, a move primarily driven by the need to maintain participation in NATO’s nuclear sharing mission. The F-35A’s compatibility with the U.S. B61 nuclear bomb, combined with its stealth and multi-role capabilities, makes it a key asset in Germany’s future airpower structure.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius highlighted the missile agreement as a cornerstone of a growing strategic alliance between Berlin and Oslo, stating it represents a “partnership among equals.” Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik reinforced this sentiment by emphasizing the significance of the JSM in NATO’s force modernization and deterrence posture. Both ministers pointed to the successful track record of defense cooperation between their countries, particularly in the joint development and acquisition of submarines and advanced strike systems.
By acquiring the JSM (Joint Strike Missile), Germany is not only enhancing its F-35 fighter jet fleet with a potent and versatile weapon but is also contributing to a broader European defense ecosystem rooted in industrial cooperation, technological innovation, and strategic alignment. The integration of the JSM into the Luftwaffe’s arsenal will significantly strengthen Germany’s long-range precision strike capabilities and further embed its role within NATO’s collective defense architecture.
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According to information published by the Norwegian Government on June 25, 2025, Germany has signed a major defense agreement with Norway to procure Joint Strike Missiles (JSMs) from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. The deal, valued at approximately NOK 6.5 billion, or around €565 million, was formalized during the NATO summit in The Hague by Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. This high-profile signing marks a significant milestone in bilateral defense cooperation and provides Germany with a key precision-strike capability for its incoming fleet of German Air Force F-35A multirole stealth fighter jets.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Norwegian Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace JSM Joint Strike Missile mounted on an F-35 fighter jet designed for long-range precision strike missions. (Picture source: Kongsberg)
The decision follows an earlier announcement made by German authorities on June 5, 2025, confirming their intent to acquire the JSM (Joint Strike Missile) through a government-to-government framework. After undergoing political evaluation in the Bundestag, the agreement was expected to be finalized in the first half of the year. As part of the arrangement, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency will purchase the missiles from Kongsberg on behalf of Germany, with its German counterpart BAAINBw acting as the co-signatory. This structure is based on existing bilateral frameworks used for previous defense acquisitions, including the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and the upcoming Super Sonic Strike Missile (3SM).
The JSM is a fifth-generation, air-launched cruise missile developed by Kongsberg in partnership with Raytheon Missiles & Defense. It is specifically designed for integration with the F-35’s internal weapons bay, preserving the aircraft’s low-observable profile. With an operational range exceeding 500 kilometers, a 400-kilogram warhead, and advanced guidance systems including GPS/INS navigation, an infrared imaging seeker, and autonomous target recognition, the JSM provides unmatched flexibility to engage both land and maritime targets in high-threat environments. Its survivability is further enhanced by its stealthy design and sophisticated electronic counter-countermeasures.
The tactical and combat value of equipping the German F-35A with the JSM is significant. By enabling the stealth fighter to strike high-value and time-sensitive targets from stand-off distances, Germany gains the ability to conduct deep precision strikes while minimizing exposure to enemy air defenses. This capability is crucial in both contested and denied airspace scenarios, where conventional munitions might not reach their targets or expose the aircraft to risk. The JSM also enhances the F-35’s role as a multi-domain platform capable of shaping the battlespace, supporting joint force operations, and deterring aggression through credible precision strike options.
This acquisition directly supports Germany’s broader strategy to modernize its armed forces and enhance NATO interoperability. In 2022, Berlin committed to purchasing 35 Lockheed Martin F-35A aircraft to replace its aging Tornado fleet, a move primarily driven by the need to maintain participation in NATO’s nuclear sharing mission. The F-35A’s compatibility with the U.S. B61 nuclear bomb, combined with its stealth and multi-role capabilities, makes it a key asset in Germany’s future airpower structure.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius highlighted the missile agreement as a cornerstone of a growing strategic alliance between Berlin and Oslo, stating it represents a “partnership among equals.” Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik reinforced this sentiment by emphasizing the significance of the JSM in NATO’s force modernization and deterrence posture. Both ministers pointed to the successful track record of defense cooperation between their countries, particularly in the joint development and acquisition of submarines and advanced strike systems.
By acquiring the JSM (Joint Strike Missile), Germany is not only enhancing its F-35 fighter jet fleet with a potent and versatile weapon but is also contributing to a broader European defense ecosystem rooted in industrial cooperation, technological innovation, and strategic alignment. The integration of the JSM into the Luftwaffe’s arsenal will significantly strengthen Germany’s long-range precision strike capabilities and further embed its role within NATO’s collective defense architecture.
