Defence-driven value creation

The defence industry relies on strong, long-term partnerships. For Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, collaboration with skilled and reliable suppliers is key to ensuring quality, timely delivery, and continued technological development.

  • Text:Amanda Chapman-Stavn / KONGSBERG

    Photo:Magnus Bjørnnes / KONGSBERG

The industry also plays a vital role in the economies where it operates. According to the Norwegian Defence and Security Industries Association (FSi), the domestic industry employs more than 17,000 people and generates around NOK 20 billion annually. This reflects the sector’s dual importance – contributing to national security while driving economic activity across the country.

“Our partners in the supply chain have been carefully screened and selected on a stringent set of criteria, including quality, reliability, price and compliance. We seek partnerships locally, which has benefits in terms of communication and transport.”

Audun Abrahamsen, Vice President Global Supply Chain Project (acting) at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace works with a broad network of Norwegian subcontractors. In 2024 alone, more than 2,000 suppliers contributed to deliveries – spanning all counties. This shows a clear commitment to supporting domestic industry and building national resilience.

In fact, the total value of contracts awarded to Norwegian suppliers was three times higher than the value of contracts received from our Norwegian customer – the armed forces – underlining the company’s contribution to national value creation.

Skilled Worker in production

“In total, we spent NOK 5 billion on supplier contracts, distributed across all Norwegian counties – and positively impacting employment, local businesses, and industrial competence,” says Abrahamsen.

These partnerships are built on long-term collaboration, trust, and shared goals. Reliable suppliers help ensure stable delivery, improved capabilities, and ongoing innovation. 

Companies such as Hatteland Technology, Kodyna, Kitron, and Imenco are just a few examples of this cooperation in practice.

  • Hatteland Technology

    “Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has been a key partner for us for over 25 years, and this agreement confirms the trust and joint commitment we have built over time. It enables us to expand our production capacity, develop new technology, and contribute to a stronger defence industry.

    We look forward to further developing this collaboration and delivering solutions that support Norway’s defence capabilities,” says Lars Skjelbred-Eriksen, CEO of Hatteland Technology AS.

  • Kodyna

    “As a growing company, we highly value the trust and collaboration established with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and consider this contract a significant recognition of our expertise and delivery capabilities in large international projects,” said Tomas Wamstad, CEO-Partner in Kodyna.

  • Kitron

    “We are very pleased to announce this order, which confirms Kitron’s position as a robust and reliable Kitron and industrial partner for Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace,” says Heine Østby, Managing Director, Kitron Norway.

    “The long-standing collaboration between our two companies continues to strengthen, and Kitron’s ongoing investment in a new production facility in Arendal is well aligned with this increase in orders. This ensures secure and efficient deliveries for this critically important system.”

  • Imenco

    “Imenco has provided products and services to the defence industry for several decades, and the collaboration with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace strengthens Imenco’s position as a key player in technological deliveries to the defence sector while reinforcing the company’s role as an innovative partner for KONGSBERG.

    We are already well underway with expanding our organisation, and this contract provides us with the opportunity to recruit even more talented colleagues,” says Imenco’s CEO Ingunn Ø. Iveland.

These collaborations are not only vital for maintaining an effective and capable defence sector – they also support competence development, job creation, and industrial growth across Norway. Many suppliers contribute technologies that go beyond defence, helping strengthen national expertise and export potential. Local sourcing also supports more resilient, sustainable value chains by reducing dependency on global logistics.

«Long-term partnerships are essential for us and play a big part in our successes. Many of our suppliers have been working with us for years, even decades, and we’re proud to have played a part in their growth and success too,” says Abrahamsen. 

Strong supplier relationships are also essential for long-term national preparedness. By working closely with local industry, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace continues to invest in Norway’s security, economy, and technological future.

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