Login
iscover
Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has announced the appointment of John Fry as the general manager of the company’s Australian arm.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
Fry, formerly a director at Raytheon Australia, will be based at the company’s Australian headquarters in Canberra.
Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, said Fry would be a valuable addition to the Kongsberg team.
"We are thrilled that someone of John’s impressive background and experience is joining Kongsberg. As we continue our strategic expansion in Australia, John’s appointment shows our long-term commitment to Australia and Australian defence industry," Lie said.
Kjetil Myhra, chairman of Kongsberg Defence Australia, said Fry’s technical expertise and experience would help Kongsberg to further develop Australian defence industry opportunities.
"In his previous role with Raytheon, Mr Fry led a number of strategic campaigns for Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) and Joint Fires programs in Raytheon’s joint effects franchise," Myhra said.
"He oversaw the successful Raytheon/Kongsberg bid for the Australian government’s Short-Range Ground Based Air Defence program known as Project LAND 19 Phase 7B. Final contracts to deliver the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) were signed with the Commonwealth last month. Kongsberg will provide the Fire Distribution Centre (FDC) and canister missile launchers for the program."
Fry said he was looking forward to the new role, particularly at a time of record government investment in Australian Defence Force capability.
"Kongsberg is one of the world’s most trusted and respected suppliers of defence systems and products. I look forward to continuing Kongsberg’s strong relationship with the Australian Defence Force and identifying new opportunities to work with Australian local industry," he said.
Before joining Raytheon Australia, Fry worked in business development for Fujitsu Australia and as an associate for Booz Allen Hamilton. This followed a 13-year career in the armed forces as a Royal Australian Artillery Officer, which included postings to the Capability Development Group and the then Defence Materiel Organisation.
Fry is a graduate of both the Cranfield University, having attained a Master of Science (Guided Weapon Systems), and the University of NSW where he attained a Master of Management Studies (Project Management) and a Bachelor of Science (Honours Class 1) degree in chemistry.
He was also a qualified Missile Weapons Inspector with the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission.
