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Primary explosives manufacturing for the Australian Defence Force’s F1A1 grenade has commenced at the government-owned contractor-operated munitions facility in Benalla, Victoria.
The manufacturing start, completed in collaboration with Benalla co-tenant Australian Munitions, is an important achievement for assuring ongoing sovereign supply, according to NIOA Group.
The NIOA tenancy at Benalla maintains the Commonwealth’s capabilities for the manufacture of primary energetics, pyrotechnics, medium calibre, mortar and tank ammunition, hand grenades, fuses, primers, along with various laboratory test facilities.
“NIOA’s production of primary energetics at Benalla is a key milestone in collaboration between NIOA, the Commonwealth, explosive manufacture regulatory bodies and a range of domestic suppliers,” NIOA Australia and New Zealand chief executive officer Ben James said.
“NIOA maintains a deep commitment to work with the Commonwealth in growing safe and scalable primary explosive manufacturing capability to support current and future ADF sovereign munitions requirements.
“Our ongoing investment in these manufacturing capabilities, along with our integrated approach with co-tenants Australian Munitions, will improve resilience of the ADF’s munitions supply chains.”
The milestone marks the expansion of sovereign manufacturing capabilities to provide explosives, components and products to meet ADF requirements for capabilities such as grenades and detonators, according to NIOA.
NIOA has invested more than $12 million in Benalla where it also operates 30mm Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles, 35mm cannon and 120mm Abrams tank ammunition manufacturing capabilities.
