At Land Forces 2022 International Defence Exposition in Brisbane, Diehl Defence and the Australian defence prime NIOA announced a strategic partnership.
In a major step towards the local production and supply of naval munitions in Australia, Diehl Defence will team up with NIOA, Australia’s largest privately owned supplier of weapon systems, integrated soldier systems and ammunition.
Under the agreement, Diehl will transfer technology to NIOA to enable Australian production of the Diehl 127mm naval munition family including high explosives, practice projectiles and propelling charges.
Besides the conventional ammunition portfolio of Diehl, NIOA and Diehl are also evaluating possible cooperation in the areas of the guided long-range ammunition capabilities and products of Diehl Defence. Diehl is an experienced manufacturer of naval ammunition and has previously supplied 76mm rounds to the Royal Australian Navy.
NIOA hopes to utilize its newly commissioned plant in Maryborough, Queensland for shell case production while the filling and finishing would occur at Benalla in regional Victoria where NIOA has a long-term lease at the Commonwealth Government-owned munitions facility.
Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch said the collaboration with NIOA was a significant step forward for the two companies and comes 15 months after they signed a memorandum of understanding to support sovereign munitions manufacture. “This agreement paves the way for Diehl to bring its world-leading expertise to Australia to support NIOA in the development of sovereign capability,” he said. “Our highly advanced naval ammunition is used by navies worldwide and ensures the highest level of effectiveness and safety for a warship and its crew.”
NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa said: “NIOA and Diehl share the same strategic ambitions - to build defence capability. Diehl is known worldwide for its ammunition technology. This partnership means we are well positioned to accelerate the Australian manufacture of superior naval munitions, ensuring supply surety for the Australian Defence Forces.”