Nioa to supply towed howitzer ammo

Nioa has received a $100 million contract to supply 155mm lightweight towed howitzer ammunition to the Australian Army.

The company will supply the high-performance Rheinmetall ASSEGAI 155mm projectiles, including HE, HE-ER, PRAC, HES, SMOKE, visual and IR illumination projectiles, modular charge systems and a range of high performance fuzes for Australia's LAND 17-1C.2 Future Artillery Ammunition programme.

The contract includes the qualification of the ammunition family for the M777A2 howitzer, including integration into the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System automated fire support command-and-control system, followed by the supply of stock. 

It is anticipated that annual training requirements will be added to the contract upon successful completion of the qualification programme.

Australia's Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, said: 'Nioa’s partnership with Rheinmetall Defence, their subsidiaries and Junghans Microtec, demonstrates the innovative approaches embraced by Australian companies to ensure our military is equipped with the best capabilities in the world.

'This ammunition will replace an ageing ammunition stock, providing increased range and lethality, as well as a greater range of effects such as infrared illumination to enhance the army’s advanced night fighting capability.'

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M777

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