Defense & Military
Kongsberg Secures NOK 2 Billion Contract Extension for F-35 Components
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace extends its contract with Lockheed Martin for NOK 2 billion to produce F-35 components through 2030, supporting Norway’s defense industry.
This article is based on an official press release from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, supplemented by industry research.
Kongsberg Secures NOK 2 Billion Contract Extension for F-35 Components Through 2030
Norwegian defense contractor Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has secured a major contract extension with U.S. defense prime Lockheed Martin, ensuring its continued participation in the global F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program. According to an official company press release dated March 18, 2026, the agreement is valued at approximately NOK 2 billion (roughly $190 million to $209 million) and will extend Kongsberg’s manufacturing deliveries through the year 2030.
The newly announced contract covers production for F-35 Lots 20, 21, and 22. Under the terms of the agreement, Kongsberg will continue to manufacture critical structural components, including aircraft rudders, vertical leading edges, and main landing gear closeout panels. These components are slated to support all three variants of the fifth-generation stealth fighter, the conventional takeoff and landing F-35A, the short takeoff/vertical landing F-35B, and the carrier-based F-35C.
This manufacturing extension highlights the enduring economic benefits of the F-35 program for Norway’s domestic defense industry. Although the Royal Norwegian Air Force completed its own procurement of 52 F-35A fighters in 2025, Kongsberg’s role in the global supply chain remains robust, securing long-term industrial continuity and high-tech manufacturing jobs in the region.
Manufacturing Continuity and Component Details
Scope of the Agreement
According to the company’s announcement, all parts under this NOK 2 billion contract will be produced at Kongsberg’s advanced manufacturing facilities in Norway, historically centered at the Arsenalet facility in the town of Kongsberg. The continuation of this production line underscores the stringent quality requirements demanded by the F-35 program. Industry research notes that Kongsberg has maintained a strong track record of on-time deliveries, which has been instrumental in securing subsequent production lots.
“The deal underscores Kongsberg’s entrenched position as a highly reliable, zero-defect supplier for one of the world’s most advanced and expensive defense programs,” according to defense industry research summarizing the agreement.
A Decade-Long Partnership
Kongsberg has served as a strategic industrial partner to Lockheed Martin for over a decade, initially supplying composite and titanium parts starting in 2010. The partnership is rooted in the F-35 program’s unique international industrial participation model. When allied nations like Norway partnered in the development and procurement of the aircraft, they were granted industrial offsets. This framework allowed domestic companies to bid for manufacturing contracts within the global supply chain. Over the years, Kongsberg successfully expanded its portfolio, notably adding main landing gear closeout panels to its production line in 2015.
Norway’s Expanding Role in the F-35 Ecosystem
Transitioning from Procurement to Sustainment
While the manufacturing of new components remains a significant revenue stream, Kongsberg has also heavily invested in the long-term sustainment of the F-35 fleet. In 2025, Norway received the last of its planned 52 F-35A fighters, which are currently stationed at the Ørland and Evenes air bases to serve as a critical component of NATO’s northern border defense. Following the completion of this fleet, Kongsberg shifted focus toward domestic maintenance.
Industry data indicates that in March 2025, Kongsberg signed a 15-year agreement with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency to handle the maintenance, upgrades, and modifications of the Norwegian F-35 fleet. Furthermore, in October 2025, Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services opened a new 5,000-square-meter F-35 maintenance facility in Rygge, Norway. This facility operates alongside an existing depot for F-135 engines that opened in 2020, allowing Norway to perform heavy maintenance domestically rather than exporting the work.
The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) Integration
Beyond structural components and maintenance, Kongsberg’s relationship with the F-35 program is deeply tied to the Joint Strike Missile (JSM). Developed specifically by Kongsberg to fit inside the internal weapons bay of the F-35A without compromising the aircraft’s stealth profile, the JSM is a long-range precision strike missile. The successful integration of this weapon system continues to drive further revenue for Kongsberg and enhances the tactical appeal of the F-35 platform for allied nations.
AirPro News analysis
We view this NOK 2 billion contract extension as a textbook example of how initial defense procurement offsets can translate into decades of sustained industrial revenue. With the global F-35 fleet surpassing 1,300 delivered aircraft as of early 2026, the demand for replacement parts, structural components, and heavy maintenance is virtually guaranteed for the next several decades. Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, which recorded total revenues of NOK 58.6 billion in 2025 across its 15,000-employee global workforce, has successfully insulated itself from the typical “boom and bust” cycles of domestic military procurement. By embedding itself into both the manufacturing of Lots 20-22 and the 15-year sustainment tail of the Norwegian fleet, Kongsberg has secured a highly defensible market position within NATO’s premier Military-Aircraft program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What components is Kongsberg manufacturing for the F-35?
Under the new contract, Kongsberg will manufacture aircraft rudders, vertical leading edges, and main landing gear closeout panels for all three variants of the F-35 (A, B, and C models).
How much is the contract worth?
The contract extension with Lockheed Martin is valued at approximately NOK 2 billion, which translates to roughly $190 million to $209 million.
When does the contract run through?
The agreement covers production for F-35 Lots 20, 21, and 22, ensuring manufacturing deliveries from Kongsberg through the year 2030.
Sources
Photo Credit: Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace
Defense & Military
Embraer Signs Long-Term KC-390 Support Deal With Brazil
Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force signed a lifecycle support agreement for the KC-390 Millennium fleet on June 18, 2026.
Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force signed a comprehensive long-term logistics support agreement on June 18, 2026, designed to maximize the operational availability and mission readiness of the military’s KC-390 Millennium fleet.
Announced in a press release from the manufacturer’s São José dos Campos headquarters, the contract provides full lifecycle support for current and future KC-390 aircraft operated by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). The agreement encompasses maintenance, logistical sustainment, component repair and overhaul, spare parts supply, engineering services, and technical publications. The financial value of the contract was not disclosed.
Enhancing fleet readiness for the launch customer
The Brazilian Air Force serves as the launch customer for the KC-390 program. According to Air Data News, the FAB has a total order book of 19 aircraft. The first production unit was delivered to the military branch on September 4, 2019.
Lieutenant-Brigadier Valter Malta, General Support Commander for the FAB, stated in the release that the agreement reinforces the military’s commitment to fleet availability and operational efficiency.
“Through this contract, we will provide the maintenance and logistical sustainment required to support the KC-390 Millennium, which is a strategic asset for the country’s mobility, defense, and rapid response capabilities,” Malta said.
Carlos Naufel, President and CEO of Embraer Services & Support, noted the contract extends a decades-long relationship between the manufacturer and the FAB. Naufel stated the goal is to support the military’s ability to perform at the highest standards using world-class solutions.
Production ramp-up and international momentum
The support agreement coincides with a broader push by Embraer to increase production of the KC-390 Millennium to meet growing international demand. Breaking Defense reported that Embraer executives briefed reporters on June 10, 2026, outlining plans to build six aircraft in 2026 and reach an annual production rate of 10 aircraft by the end of the decade.
Marcio Monteiro, Chief Marketing Officer of Embraer’s defense division, told Breaking Defense that the company is in “ramping up mode” to meet current commitments and anticipate future orders. Embraer estimates a total addressable market of 450 aircraft for the KC-390 over the next two decades.
International interest in the platform has accelerated in recent months. Air Data News reported that Greece formally submitted a defense procurement package to its parliament in June 2026 for three KC-390s. Embraer is also preparing to deliver the first aircraft to the Czech Air Force in the coming weeks, with a second scheduled for 2027. Additional deliveries are slated for Uzbekistan and South Korea in 2026.
AirPro News analysis
Securing a comprehensive, long-term sustainment contract with the launch customer is a critical step for Embraer as it markets the KC-390 Millennium globally. Prospective international buyers closely monitor the operational availability and logistical support network of the home country’s fleet when evaluating military aircraft transport acquisitions. By formalizing this lifecycle support structure with the Brazilian Air-Forces, we view Embraer as establishing a baseline sustainment model that can be pitched to European and Asian air forces currently evaluating alternatives to legacy tactical airlifters.
Sources: Embraer
Photo Credit: Embraer
Defense & Military
Shield AI Wins U.S. Air Force CCA Autonomy Contract
The U.S. Air Force awarded Shield AI a production contract to integrate Hivemind software into its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
On June 17, 2026, the U.S. Air-Forces awarded defense technology company Shield AI a production contract to integrate its Hivemind mission autonomy software into the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The award advances the military branch’s strategy to decouple software development from airframe manufacturing, enabling rapid capability updates across multiple uncrewed platforms.
In a press release issued on June 17, 2026, Shield AI confirmed the contract will utilize the government-owned Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA). This framework allows the Air Force to evaluate and integrate mission autonomy as a standalone capability, preserving vendor competition and reducing the integration risks traditionally associated with tied hardware and software procurement.
Advancing the Collaborative Combat Aircraft fleet
The CCA program is a core component of the Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems. These uncrewed aircraft are designed to fly alongside fifth- and sixth-generation fighter jets, augmenting the crewed fleet with additional offensive strike and intelligence-gathering capabilities.
According to reporting by DefenseScoop, the Air Force plans to field a minimum of 150 CCA systems by the end of the decade. The Increment 1 airframe production Contracts were awarded to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Anduril Industries four months ahead of schedule.
Software-first approach to mission autonomy
Alongside the airframe awards, the Air Force issued mission autonomy Software production options to Shield AI, Anduril, and Collins Aerospace. The military branch has been integrating and testing mission autonomy packages on CCA prototypes since February 12, 2026.
“Mission autonomy is a foundational capability for future airpower. The Air Force’s approach enables faster innovation, rapid capability deployment, and greater operational advantage for the warfighter,” said Christian Gutierrez, Senior Vice President of Hivemind at Shield AI.
Col. Timothy Helfrich, Program Acquisition Executive for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, described the program as the next evolution of air power. Speaking to DefenseScoop, he noted that the CCA initiative represents the military’s first instance of taking human-machine teaming into the aviation world to such an extent and driving it operationally.
Future milestones and vendor selection
The Air Force is expected to select a primary mission autonomy software provider for CCA Increment 1 in 2027. This decision will follow extensive evaluation of the software packages provided by the competing vendors.
The A-GRA architecture ensures that whichever software is selected can be integrated into the YFQ-42A built by General Atomics and the YFQ-44A built by Anduril without requiring structural modifications to the aircraft.
AirPro News analysis
We view the Air Force’s strict adherence to the Autonomy Government Reference Architecture as a fundamental shift in defense aviation procurement. By forcing a hard boundary between the physical aircraft and the cognitive software that flies it, the military is actively avoiding the vendor lock-in that has historically plagued major acquisition programs. The decision to award software production options to three distinct companies, including traditional defense contractors like Collins Aerospace alongside newer entrants like Shield AI and Anduril, indicates a deliberate strategy to maintain competitive pressure through the 2027 down-select. If successful, this decoupled procurement model could become the standard for future uncrewed aviation programs.
Sources: Shield AI
Photo Credit: Shield AI
Defense & Military
Daher Expands Rafale Aerostructure Role for Dassault Aviation
Daher takes on Rafale canards, vertical tail plane, and forward fuselage assembly as Dassault targets four aircraft per month by 2028-29.
Daher Group has expanded its manufacturing responsibilities within the Dassault Rafale fighter program, taking on the production of critical composite and metallic aerostructures to support Dassault Aviation as it accelerates aircraft output.
In a press release issued on June 16, 2026, during the Eurosatory defense and security show in Paris, Daher detailed its growing portfolio of flight safety-critical components for the multirole fighter. The strategic industrial transfer is designed to alleviate production bottlenecks as Dassault works through a backlog of more than 220 aircraft for French and export customers.
Strategic industrial transfers support production targets
Dassault Aviation is currently executing a significant production ramp-up. According to recent reporting by Aviation Week, the manufacturer plans to deliver 28 Rafale aircraft in 2026, an increase from 26 deliveries in 2025. The company ultimately targets a production rate of four aircraft per month by 2028 or 2029.
To facilitate this volume, Dassault transferred the manufacturing of the Rafale’s canards and vertical tail plane from its own facility in Biarritz, France, to Daher.
“Daher’s work on the Rafale demonstrates our ability to industrialize and assemble critical components in highly demanding environments, while supporting the program’s production ramp-up,” said Alain-Jory Barthe, CEO of Daher Industry. “Our adherence to delivery schedules and the quality of our production are recognized by Dassault Aviation, with whom we’ve built a long-term relationship of trust based on a shared industrial DNA as family-owned companies.”
Critical aerostructure manufacturing and assembly
Daher’s expanded work package encompasses both composite manufacturing and complex metallic assembly. The company confirmed that the thermoset composite canards have already passed their qualification milestones. The vertical tail plane is currently entering its final validation phase.
In addition to the flight control surfaces, Daher is responsible for assembling the C1-C7 forward fuselage section. Located immediately aft of the nose, this section incorporates the structural support for the aircraft’s in-flight refueling probe. The assembly process involves integrating approximately 800 elementary parts, which are primarily metallic and sheet metal components.
The Tier 1 supplier also produces equipped T34 panels and the radio access hatch specifically designed for the two-seat variant of the Rafale.
AirPro News analysis
We view Dassault’s delegation of major structural assemblies to Daher as a textbook supply chain optimization strategy for an original equipment manufacturer facing a steep production curve. By offloading the canards and vertical tail plane, Dassault frees up floor space and specialized labor at its Biarritz plant for other critical path items. Daher is well-positioned to absorb this work. With 14,500 employees globally and reported 2025 revenues of €1.9 billion, the company has the industrial scale required to meet defense-standard quality requirements while maintaining the strict delivery schedules necessary for Dassault to reach a rate of four aircraft per month.
Sources: Daher
Photo Credit: Daher
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