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Thales Australia and EXPAL Systems SA have signed a collaboration agreement to develop sovereign solutions for large calibre naval munitions and fuses for the ADF and Australia’s allies.
The agreement is designed to enable the transfer of intellectual property and support to Australia, facilitating the establishment of manufacturing processes for 5” Charge Propelling and high explosives projectiles, in addition to advanced fuse solutions.
According to a release from the companies, the Royal Australian Navy currently uses 5” munitions manufactured by EXPAL in Spain and Thales in Australia.
It is hoped that the agreement will support ongoing supply of 5” munitions, including “on demand” supply.
“Over the past 12 months, we have established significant partnerships with some of the worlds’ pre-eminent munitions providers including EXPAL, to nurture technology transfer to Australia and establish local production capability of critical munitions,” Corry Roberts, vice president land, Thales Australia and New Zealand.
“This is a clear demonstration of the company’s long-term commitment to growing and maintaining an enduring, sustainable and resilient sovereign industrial munitions capability for the Australian Defence Force.”
It is further expected that the agreement will support research and development, including the development of a roadmap for augmentation of the munitions including range, reduced sensitivity and precision strike.
Luis Abad, vice president sales, EXPAL, explained that the partnership will provide greater Australian industrial capability for the Australian Defence Force.
“We are looking forward to intensifying the cooperation with Thales Australia and provide our Naval munitions expertise. Our complementary technologies will enhance Royal Australian Navy capabilities and optimise Australian Industrial Capability (AIC),” Abad said.
[Related: Thales Alenia Space tapped to develop advanced global navigation system]
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