Australian Rheinmetall facility to make US F-35 FAP munitions
Australian JV Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions (RNM) will supply the US F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme with medium-calibre ammunition.
Production of the 25mm Frangible Armoured Piercing (FAP) munitions will begin at the state-owned Benalla plant in Victoria state, as the first RNM expansion since its A$60 million artillery shell forging plant was set up in Queensland.
RNM Chairman Werner Kraemer said: ‘We are totally committed to this joint venture with the Australian market. By committing to develop this medium-calibre production capability here in Australia, we will not only create local jobs and build a supply chain, we will also be developing a proven and sustainable export market.’
The production line is due to be operational in Q1 and Q2 2021 with full production being reached in September 2021.
RNM is a JV between Rheinmetall Waffe Munitions and NIOA.
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