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Australian-owned NIOA has announced the signing of a new long-term small arms support contract with the Australian Department of Defence.
The new support contract engages Australian-owned NIOA for the through-life support of select Australian Defence Force in-service weapons as well as the next generation LAND 300 Lethality Program systems until 2032.
NIOA was appointed by Defence in September 2022 as the prime contractor for Tranche 1 Stage 2 of LAND 300, which includes new sniper systems, surveillance and target acquisition devices, pistols, shotguns and personal defence weapons for Australia’s soldiers, sailors and aviators.
“NIOA’s team of expert project managers and engineers have built a unique skill set in planning, conducting and delivering small arms test programs to meet LAND 300 and wider Defence needs,” said Mick Ahern, NIOA general manager weapons and munitions.
“This new contract marks an important milestone in the delivery of new capability and the continued support to existing small arms capabilities for the Australian warfighter while recognising the efforts of and confidence the Commonwealth has in NIOA’s weapons and munitions teams.”
In other news earlier this month, NIOA and multinational European defence company MBDA signed a memorandum of understanding on Mistral missile solutions.
The agreement is designed to explore options for assembly or production of Australian-made warheads for the Mistral suite of missiles and becoming part of the global Mistral supply chain.
Under the agreement, signed at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition in Sydney, Australia could become the first country outside of France to produce the advanced air defence missile systems.
NIOA Group chief executive officer Rob Nioa said the newly inked agreement between NIOA and MBDA supports the Australian government’s Defence Industry Development Strategy for closer industrial collaboration with trusted international partners.
“MBDA are world leaders in the missile industry. With the Australian government’s focus on domestic manufacturing of a wider range of munitions and the expansion of partnerships with industry, the timing is right for NIOA and MBDA to take this first and significant step,” Nioa said.
