Financial Advisor
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace
M&A Advisory
Has Acquired
Transaction Details
On June 10, 2026, KONGSBERG Gruppen ASA (“KONGSBERG”) announced that it has closed the acquisition of US missile company Zone 5 Technologies LLC (“Zone 5”), following approval by US regulatory authorities.
KONGSBERG is acquiring a 90 percent stake in Zone 5. The company will continue to be led by founder and CEO, Thomas Akers, and the rest of the management team, all of whom maintain ownership in Zone 5 following the closing. Post-closing, Zone 5 will operate as an independent subsidiary. The value of the transaction is undisclosed.
“Recent conflicts have demonstrated the critical role of high-volume defence capabilities. This is exactly what Europe needs,” said Eirik Lie, President and CEO of KONGSBERG. “Zone 5 adds a distinct capability to the KONGSBERG portfolio, bringing a proven track record of rapid production, highly scalable and affordable missiles. Together with the Zone 5 leadership, KONGSBERG will support and accelerate the company’s scale-up and international growth.”
About the company
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.
Zone 5 Technologies
Zone 5 is a technology development company founded in 2011 and headquartered in San Luis Obispo in California. 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.
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Source: KONGSBERG Press Releases.
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