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The Australian defence industry faces an uphill battle to find timely and adequate testing facilities, according to industry figurehead Dr Raymond Dennis.
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The Lightforce Australia, Nightforce Optics, Ace Precision Rifle Systems founder and owner recently oversaw a defence industry live fire demonstration at his Klondyke Range Complex on 25 August.
The licensed testing and firing range, located on Klondyke Station in western NSW, was expanded for Force Ordnance produce research, development and testing in 2021, however, it has since gained traction as an available alternative for defence industry, law enforcement, and private company testing.
Dr Dennis said the range was registered in NSW via Commissioner of Police permit to test .50-cal precision rifles for the US defence market, after it had initially been declined in South Australia.
“The range was sort of built up to where it is today (with established mounds, ranges and shelter) because we are now a firearms manufacturer and there’s a whole range of initiatives we do,” Dr Dennis said.
“The range itself is the only privately owned range in Australia available for this type of firearms development, research anywhere in Australia; it doesn’t exist elsewhere except at defence ranges.
“And the bureaucracy associated with those (defence) ranges is unbelievable, some people are saying it can be up to two years (waiting) to get on a range and test something.
“It’s just a pain and it’s hard enough here but we’ve managed to get all the licenses and approvals.”
Australian defence companies such as Electro Optic Systems, W&E Platt, and the Australian Defence Force have reportedly tested equipment at the small arms-to-120mm testing and firing ranges at Klondyke, including tests involving 30x173mm anti-armour SABOT rounds for the Redback infantry fighting vehicle.
Dr Dennis said political bureaucracy is handicapping the domestic defence industry when it comes to timely access to defence weapons testing at military-grade facilities.
“This is the stupidity … the system in Australia does not assist the navigation process for industry to test and evaluate, research and develop,” he said.
“Not only the bureaucracy, but where do you go? And when can you get on the selected range?
“The government support has been mired by political processes, that’s the flavour of the year. One minute you got it and next minute you haven’t.
“We’re trying to look after Australia but you only have to talk to Australian companies to understand the money that we throw from Australia that goes overseas to do the very thing they could be doing here.
“It’s that public risk aversion that the Australian government’s hang up on, that’s the firearms laws and all the other national laws.”
