Rheinmetall, Nioa to open artillery manufacturing facility

Rheinmetall Defence Australia will establish a new artillery manufacturing facility in Australia under an agreement with munitions partner Nioa, the company announced on 19 October.

The companies will form a joint venture to fund and manage the facility, which will be based in Maryborough, Queensland. It will be also part funded by an Australian government grant.

Rheinmetall and Nioa have a significant partnership across a range of munitions products and services in Australia including delivery of Rheinmetall’s future family of artillery ammunition to the Australian Army under the Land 17 1.C2 programme.

Under the agreement, Rheinmetall will transfer intellectual property for its artillery manufacturing to Australia to underpin future production from the new Maryborough facility.

Gary Stewart, managing director, Rheinmetall Defence Australia, said the new facility would replace munitions imported into Australia and ensure the nation has a long term sovereign capability to supply the Australian Defence Force.

He said: ‘The artillery manufactured at the new facility will be delivered to the Australian Army and for export to selected defence forces globally through Rheinmetall’s global supply chain programme. This will not only ensure supply to Australian soldiers but also elevate Australia’s profile globally as an exporter of high quality munitions.’