Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) has signed an agreement to acquire the
California-based missile company Zone 5 Technologies LLC, which designs and
produces affordable, mass producible long-range strike and anti-drone missiles.
The value of the transaction is undisclosed.
"The acquisition of Zone 5 marks a significant strategic move for KONGSBERG.
Zone 5 is at the forefront of developing affordable missiles to be produced in
high numbers," said Geir Håøy, CEO of KONGSBERG.
Recent conflicts have demonstrated the critical role of high-volume defense
capabilities in modern warfare. Such weapons are required both to defend against
massive air drone attacks and to strike a wide range of adversary assets,
necessary to create deterrence. These capabilities are in high demand.
KONGSBERG has a world-leading portfolio of advanced air defence and long-range
strike missile technologies and products. Zone 5's product line fits well into
the KONGSBERG systems and are complementary to KONGSBERG products. By combining
the high-performing KONGSBERG portfolio and Zone 5's high-volume assets,
KONGSBERG can provide comprehensive and flexible systems that allow nations to
manage complex defence scenarios.
Zone 5 has been winning contracts and down-selected in competitive programmes in
the US. Notable programmes include US Air Force ERAM (Extended Range Attack
Munition), FAMM (Family of Affordable Mass Missiles) and the US Defence
Innovation Unit for the flight testing of low-cost kill systems against larger
drones.
"Zone 5 represents a strong match with KONGSBERG's ambitions of expanding our
strike missile portfolio and developing Full Spectrum Air Defence capabilities,
while further advancing our presence in the United States. We are impressed with
how Zone 5 has been successful in bringing new technologies to the market in
fierce competition with the rest of the industry, and we look forward to working
with the Zone 5 team," said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence &
Aerospace.
KONGSBERG will acquire 90 percent of Zone 5, and the management team will remain
as minority shareholders. Post-closing, Zone 5 will operate as an independent
subsidiary. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and
customary closing conditions.
"KONGSBERG shares Zone 5's core values of an unwavering commitment to our
customers, exceptionally engineered solutions, and valuing our employees who are
the foundation of all we do," said Thomas Akers, Chairman, CEO, and CTO of Zone
5. "Our teams look forward to learning from one another as Zone 5 continues to
efficiently scale its production capabilities, while remaining the innovative
and disruptive growth platform that makes Zone 5 special."
About Zone 5
Zone 5 is a technology development company founded in 2011 and headquartered in
San Luis Obispo in California. The company has about 250+ employees and revenues
of more than USD 100m in 2025. The company has been profitable for many years
and will be so, also in 2025. Zone 5 offers a range of digitally engineered,
low-cost missiles to enable affordable mass and precision strike engagements
from a range of aircraft.
Zone 5's effectors are adapted to changing mission requirements during
development, production, and sustainment. The company's key products include
Rusty Dagger - a low cost, versatile strike missile with flexible launch options
and demonstrated successful tests, White Spike - a low cost group 3+ affordable
air interceptor highly complementary to Kongsberg's exquisite air defence
systems, and Paladin - a low collateral effects interceptor (LCEI), built as a
group 2 hexacopter and supports missions such as counter-UAS drone interception,
explosive munitions drop, and combatant rifle takedowns.
About Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace delivers defence technologies and systems for
command and control, surveillance, space, tactical communications, remote weapon
stations and strike missiles to customers around the world. Key deliveries
include NASAMS air defence, the Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile
and PROTECTOR remote weapon stations. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, which is listed on the Oslo
Stock Exchange and 50.1 percent owned by the Norwegian government.
This announcement contains inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse
Regulation (MAR) and is subject to disclosure requirements under the Norwegian
Securities Trading Act § 5-12. The information was submitted for publication by
Renate Tegdal, Investor Relations, on behalf of Kongsberg Gruppen ASA on 16
December 2025 at 17:48 CET.
About Kongsberg Gruppen ASA
Kongsberg Gruppen ASA (OSE ticker: KOG) is an international knowledge-based
group delivering high-tech systems and solutions to customers across a wide
range of markets including defence, security, maritime, energy, aerospace,
climate, and subsea technology. Kongsberg Gruppen ASA has more than 15,000
employees in 40 countries and recorded total revenues of NOK 48.9 billion in
2024. Follow us at: kongsberg.com, LinkedIn and X.