Rifle court case triggers finger-pointing at Thales

13th August 2021 - 11:30 GMT | by Gordon Arthur in Christchurch

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In development, the EF88 rifle for the ADF had issues with bolt unlocking after firing a 40mm grenade. (Photo: Gordon Arthur)

Thales Australia was taken to court over the allegation it used another's intellectual property to overcome a bolt unlocking problem on the EF88 rifle.

Thales Australia has been found guilty of engaging in misleading and deceptive conduct, breaching a non-disclosure agreement, and breaching an obligation of confidence against Nioa and Austrian company Madritsch.

On 26 July, the Queensland Supreme Court delivered the judgement, which centres on the EF88 5.56mm bullpup rifle.

The dispute arose after Nioa and Madritsch partnered to provide Thales with a bolt unlocking solution for the EF88 rifle, which is known as the F90 in the Australian company’s catalogue.

Problems had arisen, as Australian soldiers firing a 40mm grenade from the underslung grenade launcher on the EF88 were then unable ...