The orders included the sale of munitions, propellant, military explosives and sporting shooter munitions, produced in Australian Munitions’ facilities in Benalla, Victoria, and Mulwala, NSW.

The milestone came despite COVID-induced disruptions to the supply chain, which according to Thales, demonstrates the “superiority of Australia’s sovereign munitions product”.

“The quantum of munitions export orders achieved in 2020 is testament to the world-class munitions products we manufacture in Australia, and the capacity of our manufacturing industry to support the strategic supply lines of our allied partners,” Dion Habner, managing director of Australian Munitions, said.

“The strong international demand for our products helps ensure we can continue to invest in new jobs and equipment to maintain and grow this vital sovereign capability for the Australian Defence Force."

Thales’ Australian Munitions business exports to 17 countries around the world, employing approximately 650 staff operating out of its facilities in Victoria and NSW.

[Related: NIOA and Day & Zimmermann sign MoU to deliver HE munitions to ADF]

Charbel Kadib

News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media

Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.