The Queensland-based firm has signed an MOU with Boeing to support Defence’s ARH replacement program.
Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with NIOA to support the cannon and ammunition system for the AH-64E Apache Guardian, recently selected by Defence to replace the Airbus-built EC665 Tiger fleet.
According to Boeing, the MoU, which formalises the business’ collaborative arrangement, forms part of the prime’s commitment to maximising sovereign support services to the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) replacement program.
“NIOA brings industry-leading, sovereign capability to our solution,” BDA’s director of supply chain management, Nick Gothard, said.
“BDA has a proven track record of increasing Australian industry capability on all its aircraft support programs, including the F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, CH-47F Chinook and P-8A Poseidon through the contribution of highly capable industry partners like NIOA.”
NIOA CEO Robert Nioa welcomed the opportunity to work with Boeing to support Defence’s LAND 4503 program.
“We will be providing the next generation of ammunition to provide the optimal capability to the men and women of the Australian Defence Force,” Nioa said.
The Australian Army is planning to replace the current fleet of EC665 Tiger ARHs from the mid-2020s, as identified in the 2016 Defence White Paper.
LAND 4503’s program of delivery aims to support the Australian Army and is designed to contribute to the creation of the modernisation and development of a ‘networked and hardened’ Army.
[Related: Defence Minister confirms Tiger replacement selection]
