Norwegian missile maker to open plant at Md. facility

A Norwegian missile manufacturer announced plans Thursday to open a production facility for rocket motors and warheads at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head in Charles County, creating 130 jobs over the next five years.

The Nammo Group's Nammo Energetics Indian Head is partnering with the Navy installation's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division on the project, which will include disposing of obsolete and surplus munitions.

Nammo, based just north of Oslo, the capital of Norway, plans to invest $23 million to renovate existing facilities on the base and $7 million in new equipment, according to a Maryland Department of Commerce announcement about the deal.

The state Commerce Department is extending a $400,000 conditional loan to Nammo to assist the project through the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund. Nammo also could be eligible for tax credits related to job creation.

The Navy facility is dedicated to research and development of explosives as well as their disposal. The state said it contributes about $545 million a year to the state's economy.

“Under this 30-year partnership, Nammo Energetics Indian Head will address underutilized capacity in our Cast Plant to manufacture rocket motors and warheads,” Ashley Johnson, technical director of the Navy's ordnance disposal division at Indian Head, said in a statement released by Nammo. “It will also provide us options to maintain the unique capabilities needed for our Nation's defense.”

Gov. Larry Hogan, who met with Nammo CEO Morten Brandtzæg in December to discuss the plans, welcomed the company to Maryland and said its investment and the new jobs confirm “the positive business climate our administration set out to establish two years ago.”

Nammo is developing the facility under a 30-year public-private partnership agreement with the Navy.

The company expects to employ four people at Indian Head this year and potentially as many as 221 — including some now stationed at Indian Head — by 2020.

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