Kongsberg Gruppen

Kongsberg Gruppen
Name	Kongsberg Gruppen
Foundation	1814
Location	Kongsberg, Norway
Key people	Geir Håøy (CEO), Kirsten Idebøen (Chair)
Industry	Defense, Maritime technology, Aerospace
Revenue	NOK 37.9 billion (2022)
Num employees	~12,000

Kongsberg Gruppen. Kongsberg Gruppen is a major Norwegian technology corporation with its historical roots in the state-owned Kongsberg Weapons Factory, established to secure national defense. Today, it operates globally as a premier supplier of high-technology systems to the maritime industry, defense sector, and aerospace market. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and is a critical industrial partner for the Norwegian Armed Forces and NATO.

History

The company's origins trace back to 1814 with the founding of Kongsberg Silver Mines and the subsequent establishment of the Kongsberg Weapons Factory under King Christian IV. It became a cornerstone of Norwegian industrialization, producing firearms like the Krag–Jørgensen rifle. In the late 20th century, the group faced a major crisis following the Kongsberg-Våpenfabrikk scandal involving illegal technology transfers to the Soviet Union, leading to its restructuring. The defense division was saved by the Norwegian government and later merged with maritime and aerospace interests, evolving from a state-owned enterprise into the current publicly traded conglomerate. Key milestones include the acquisition of Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine in 2019, significantly expanding its maritime portfolio.

Business areas

Kongsberg Gruppen is organized into two primary reporting segments: Kongsberg Maritime and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. Kongsberg Maritime is a world leader in providing integrated systems for shipbuilding, offshore operations, and fisheries, with technology for vessel control, navigation, and dynamic positioning. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace delivers advanced defense and aerospace systems, including missile systems, command and control solutions, and surveillance technology. The group also maintains a significant presence in Digital Ocean initiatives and autonomous systems, driving innovation in unmanned surface vessels and subsea robotics.

Products and services

The group's portfolio includes the renowned Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile, both developed in cooperation with the Royal Norwegian Navy and international partners like the United States Department of Defense. Its Protector Remote Weapon Station is widely used by NATO forces. In the maritime domain, key products comprise the K-Pos dynamic positioning system, K-Chief automation systems, and Simrad commercial sonars and radars. Aerospace offerings include NASAMS air defense systems, co-developed with Raytheon Technologies, and satellite components supplied to the European Space Agency and NASA.

Corporate structure

Kongsberg Gruppen operates as a parent company with subsidiaries under the Kongsberg Maritime and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace divisions. Major subsidiaries include Kongsberg Discovery, Kongsberg Digital, and Kongsberg Protech Systems. The Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries remains a significant shareholder, holding a 50.001% stake, ensuring state influence over strategic defense assets. The corporate headquarters are located in Kongsberg, with major operational centers in Horten, Oslo, and key international markets such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Singapore.

Financial performance

The group has demonstrated strong financial growth, driven by increased global defense spending and demand for maritime digitalization. For the 2022 fiscal year, it reported an operating revenue of NOK 37.9 billion, with an EBITDA of NOK 5.6 billion. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is typically the largest contributor to profit, fueled by major contracts with the Norwegian Ministry of Defence and allied nations. Order intake remains robust, particularly for missile systems and naval solutions, supporting a substantial order backlog that ensures long-term visibility and stability.

Notable projects and contracts

Significant projects include the delivery of NSM coastal defense systems to Poland, Germany, and the United States Marine Corps, and the integration of JSM onto the F-35 Lightning II. The group provides the combat system for the new Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates and the Type 212CD submarine project for Germany and Norway. In the civilian sector, it leads the Yara Birkeland project, developing the world's first autonomous and zero-emission container ship. Other key contracts involve supplying dynamic positioning systems for Equinor's offshore vessels and command systems for the Coast Guard of multiple nations.

Category:Companies listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange Category:Defense companies of Norway Category:Technology companies of Norway Category:Companies based in Viken