Engineering in the Hunter 
About John Fry
John Fry is Managing Director of Kongsberg Defence Australia, based in Canberra, where he oversees the local manufacture and integration of key defence capabilities including NASAMS Ground Based Air Defence, Protected Mobile Fires and the Naval Strike Missile. He has led Kongsberg's Australian operations since joining in 2019, and under his leadership Kongsberg was selected as a Strategic Partner in the Commonwealth's Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise, securing an $850 million investment in domestic missile manufacturing. Before Kongsberg he held senior business development roles at Raytheon Australia, Fujitsu Australia and Booz Allen Hamilton, following a 13-year military career as an officer in the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. He discussed building Australia's first missile factory in the Hunter on the Engineering in the Hunter podcast.
- Talks about
- Deep Tech & Science, Hiring & Team
In conversation.
1 episode
Engineering in the Hunter Go straight to the good bits.
Key moments from John Fry: building Australia's first missile factory in the Hunter.
- 0:00A company since 1814 — the cold open
- 1:58From Army air-defence officer to missile-maker: John's path
- 6:05Kongsberg since 1814
- 7:11Why Australia — the NASAMS win
- 8:47Standing up in-country through COVID
- 10:55Running a P&L from day one
- 12:25What we're building: the Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile
- 15:31The $850 million sovereign-manufacturing commitment
- 18:20The JSM — a strike missile that fits inside the F-35
- 20:20Why the Hunter: 40 sites, Orchard Hills, port, airbase and liveability
In their own words.
“If you'd told me five years ago we'd be building missiles in Australia, I probably wouldn't have believed you.”
The path so far.
- Now
Managing Director · Kongsberg Defence Australia
- Earlier
Officer, Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery · Australian Defence Force
- Earlier
Director, Business Development · Raytheon Australia
- Earlier
Business Development · Fujitsu
- Earlier
Business Development · Booz Allen Hamilton
Sources: hunterif.com.au
Kongsberg Defence Australia on Day One
Kongsberg Defence Australia, which trades as KONGSBERG Australia, is the Australian business of Norway's Kongsberg group.
1 person · 1 episode
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Spot something wrong? Suggest a correctionUpdated 25 September 2026
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