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NIOA has confirmed that it has commenced manufacturing operations at the Commonwealth-owned munitions facility at Benalla in regional Victoria.
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NIOA, in conjunction with SAAB Dynamics AB Sweden, is undertaking work on the 84mm Carl-Gustaf ammunition for the Australian Defence Force.
The commencement of NIOA operations at Benalla marks a significant milestone following Minister Pyne’s announcement in September 2018, where he said, "The NIOA tenancy will strengthen and diversify sovereign capability while also ensuring increased use of the government factories at Benalla, providing more munitions supply options for Defence. NIOA’s work in Benalla will build further on their work supplying ammunition to Defence, and leverage their partnerships with some of the world’s leading munitions companies."
NIOA has established an experienced team and a comprehensive explosives safety management system, secured the necessary government operating licences and has worked closely with the Commonwealth and Australian Munitions to ensure that the operations are conducted in the safest possible manner.
"NIOA’s work in Benalla will build further on their work supplying ammunition to Defence, and leverage their partnerships with some of the world’s leading munitions companies. I look forward to NIOA producing and eventually exporting munitions from Benalla to our friends and allies," Minister Pyne said at the time.
This operation is the first of many for the NIOA business, which is working towards developing a true sovereign munitions manufacturing capability.
A series of additional business cases are currently under active review by Defence for follow on work. These business cases centre on contracts that NIOA has recently won, including the Major Munitions Contract that included 120mm tank ammunition, the Army’s future 155mm artillery ammunition and 30mm ammunition for the Boxer vehicle.
Munitions and small arms research, design, development and manufacture has recently been identified as a sovereign industrial capability priority by Defence.
The NIOA tenancy will strengthen and diversify sovereign capability while also ensuring increased use of the government factories at Benalla, providing more munitions supply options for Defence. The business cases under active review are also expected to result in export opportunities.
NIOA is an Australian owned company and one of the largest suppliers of munitions to the Department of Defence. The company has partnerships with many of the world’s leading munitions manufacturers, including Rheinmetall Waffe Munition, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (previously Orbital ATK), Vista, Day and Zimmerman, Junghans and Nitrochemie.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
