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Queensland-based munitions company NIOA has secured funding to deliver lethality systems to the ADF under LAND 159 Tranche 1 following a period of consultation.
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Minister for Defence Peter Dutton has confirmed NIOA has been formally selected to deliver the Lethality Systems Project (LAND 159) Tranche 1.
The $527.2 million investment is designed to support the delivery of a range of lethal equipment to the Australian Defence Force, including:
- enhanced shotguns;
- personal defence weapons;
- pistols, laser sights;
- sniper systems; and
- breaching systems.
In 2020, NIOA agreed to support Defence with approach to market, test and evaluation as well as the selection of systems.
“This investment will improve the lethality, situational awareness and survivability of men and women in uniform so they can successfully achieve their mission on operations both here and overseas,” Minister for Defence Peter Dutton said.
“We are working with Australian industry partners to develop a greater sovereign capability and support a stronger, more capable ADF to keep our country safe.”
Minister Dutton welcomed NIOA’s support for Defence in securing the new capabilities.
“The work of Australian company NIOA has ensured that we are acquiring the best available weapon systems for our forces,” Minister Dutton said.
“This is the first tranche of weapons acquisitions to support our personnel and there is more work to do.”
Robert Nioa, chief executive officer of NIOA, explained that the investment would not only support the delivery of cutting-edge capabilities to Defence but also support Australian industry.
“NIOA is proud to play such a significant role in the support of our defence forces,” Nioa said.
“We have been collaborating with the Commonwealth on this program for two years and in the middle of a global pandemic.
“It’s been a demanding schedule. Today is a momentous occasion and we are absolutely thrilled with the announcement for this important stage of the LAND 159 project.
“Our rigorous best of breed approach combined with our technical expertise and market knowledge mean our warfighters can be confident that they will have the very best equipment to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
NIOA general manager, weapons and munitions, Ben James said the LAND 159 would enable a generational improvement to the ADF’s small arms capabilities.
“In collaboration with the Commonwealth, our dedicated team put hundreds of products through the most rigorous test and evaluation process to make the most robust recommendations to enable Defence to select the best weapon systems,” he said.
“This demonstrates again that at NIOA we have the people, infrastructure and capability to provide complex weapon system integration and deliver solutions for the ADF.”
More to follow.
