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Minister for Defence Peter Dutton and Assistant Minister for Customs and Community Safety Jason Wood toured the company’s Pakenham defence precinct and headquarters in mid-April, overseeing the company’s armour and weapons capabilities.
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Throughout the visit, the ministers toured Aquaterro’s 12,000-square metre defence precinct and headquarters in Melbourne’s Pakenham, reviewing the company’s body armour, helmet, small arms and ammunition delivery systems which is maintained via a specialist workshop alongside some of Australia’s most expansive multi-vault storage and indoor firing range capabilities.
The minister also reviewed the Aquaterro’s Tiered Combat Helmet refurbishment program which is contracted with the Department of Defence.
The company currently provides body armour to the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, South Australia Police and Western Australia Police as well as small arms for some federal agencies.
“The human as the fundamental platform of all capability, is essential. Before a soldier or law enforcement officer enters a vehicle, boards an aircraft or a vessel they must first be wearing and be equipped with the very best technology available – integrated systems that match the nation’s expectations for our frontline professionals to be equipped at the highest levels, equal to Australia’s peer,” founder and managing director of Aquaterro Graeme Bulte said.
The company collaborates with leading defence companies from across the globe to deliver, integrate and maintain small arms, armour and protective capabilities. According to the company, their textile design workshop and industrial design and engineering department are some of the nation’s leading capabilities in the field.
Aquaterro currently retails SIG SAUER, Team Wendy, AVON, Oakley, Safariland, SureFire, Mustang Survival and Wilcox across the region, having secured technology agreements with several leading OEMs which enable the company to manufacture, assemble and maintain products from SIG SAUER, Team Wendy, TYR Tactical, Wilcox and Safariland.
“We have invested here for the long term. We have put our money where our mouth is, and our investment is approaching $20 million in fully Australian-owned infrastructure that is built for the sole purpose of supporting Australian professionals on the frontline, with the very best equipment in the world,” Bulte continued.
