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Queensland-based munitions specialist NIOA has appointed Major General (Ret’d) Fergus (Gus) McLachlan, AO, as a strategic adviser.
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McLachlan will provide the company advice and support on a range of matters including leadership, governance, strategic policy as well as supporting major programs such as dual tenancy at Benalla, including domestic manufacture of munitions and LAND 159/4108.
With a strong focus on maximising the capabilities of the Australian warfighter, McLachlan’s experience in the Australian Army and LAND domain is a neat fit with NIOA, a 100 per cent Australian owned company and leading weapon and munitions supplier to the ADF.
McLachlan said on joining the Defence prime, "I’m truly excited by the opportunity to be working with Rob and all the team at NIOA. NIOA is a great example of what sovereignty looks like – an Australian company, manufacturing locally, partnering with Defence and exporting to trusted friends and allies."
He has recently completed 37 years of service with the Australian Army. In his most recent appointment, McLachlan led Land Forces Command. With over 35,000 personnel, this is the largest command in the Australian Defence Force.
Prior to this, McLachlan was responsible for Army Modernisation and Joint Force’s Integration. He was involved in programs including the digitisation of the Army, the generation of the Army and ADF cyber capability, and the optimisation of the Army helicopter capability.
McLachlan also has extensive leadership experience. This includes operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and in the units and formations of the Army. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2018 and appointed a Professor of Practice by Monash University in 2019.
NIOA supplies and supports a wide array of small arms, medium calibre and large calibre munitions, special function grenades and pyrotechnics, and leading-edge pistol systems, small arms, sighting systems and carriage solutions. NIOA prides itself on providing complete system solutions inclusive of through-life support to its defence and law enforcement customers.
Based in a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility adjacent to Brisbane Airport, NIOA's Australian-based capabilities include integrated logistics, engineering and technical support for the solutions it provides, including training, spare parts, maintenance/repair, configuration management, platform integration, engineering management, technical support, introduction into service/qualification, and laser safety.
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.
