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.’