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.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![USAF’s T-7A Red Hawk programme progresses with low-rate production to start in 2026]()
USAF’s T-7A Red Hawk programme progresses with low-rate production to start in 2026
The T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer for the US Air Force reaching Milestone C is the first step towards production for the first batch of 14 aircraft, with training expected to start by 2028.
-
![Baykar’s Akinci: Local participation and export freedom drive $4.63 billion success story]()
Baykar’s Akinci: Local participation and export freedom drive $4.63 billion success story
The success of the Akinci drone stems from Turkey’s push for domestically produced components – which has led to fewer export restrictions – and from manufacturer Baykar’s willingness to coproduce the drone with customers’ domestic industries.
-
![Lithuania air focus: Majority of $235.98 million drone investment to be spent before 2030]()
Lithuania air focus: Majority of $235.98 million drone investment to be spent before 2030
Lithuania has committed significant funding towards expanding its UAV capabilities, with more than $54 million already spent and substantial additional investment planned through to 2029. Alongside domestic procurement, the country has also acquired various drones to support Ukraine.
-
![Japan’s Terra Drone expands Ukrainian ties to break into global defence market]()
Japan’s Terra Drone expands Ukrainian ties to break into global defence market
Following its investment into WinnyLab, Terra Drone unveiled a new long-range fixed-wing addition to its interceptor drone portfolio as it seeks to bring combat-proven technology back to Japan and expand into global export markets.
