RNM moves toward munitions facility opening
Rheinmetall Nioa Munitions (RNM) has opened the project office for its forthcoming munitions forging facility in Maryborough, Queensland.
Construction of the new facility is expected to commence in early 2020 and be fully operational by 2022.
Rheinmetall Waffe Munitions and Nioa joined forces in late 2018 to form a joint venture to fund and manage the facility, which is also to be part funded by a $28.5 million Australian government grant.
The two companies work together on 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. The RNM joint venture forms the channel via which Rheinmetall will transfer intellectual property for its artillery manufacturing to Australia.
Werner Kraemer, CEO Rheinmetall Waffe Munition and chairman of RNM, said: ‘This is a very important first step. To now have our project office open in Maryborough allows us to ramp up local operations as we build momentum towards first site works.
‘We are fully committed to Maryborough and the project, through this commitment we want to create regional jobs and build a sovereign capability.’
More from Land Warfare
-
Analysis: British Army Ajax in service after problematic delivery – but what now?
The Ajax has finally rolled into place and achieved what the UK Ministry of Defence describes as Initial Operating Capability. With the production line for UK contracts only going to the end of the decade, what’s next?
-
Levelling up – how autonomous fire control tackles unmanned lethality head-on
As autonomous weapon systems proliferate, it is now essential to use the same core technologies to counteract and neutralise them.
-
US Marine Corps force transformation on track, according to update
The US Marines Corps’ Force Design 2030 is about restructure, changes to operational concepts, a refresh of equipment and new categories of equipment. The review indicates a high level of success.
-
BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90120 medium tank takes shape
The new vehicle will be based on the CV90 Mk IV chassis and turret, and will be armed with a Rheinmetall 120mm L44A1 low recoil smoothbore gun.
-
UK government argues strife has little impact on steel supply but imports reign
Speaking in the UK Parliament, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said possible changes in the country’s steelmaking industry will have little impact on defence projects; while much of the steel in British vehicles and ships is imported.