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Australian Precision Technologies has secured a contract from Kongsberg Defence Australia for the delivery of Naval Strike Missile launcher components, with production scheduled to commence immediately.
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Under the partnership, precision-machined parts will be manufactured in the Australian Precision Technologies Berwick facility using advanced manufacturing technologies and lean management best practice.
The NSM was selected as part of SEA 1300, replacing the Harpoon anti-ship missiles on board the Anzac Class frigates and Hobart Class destroyers.
The new contract is expected to create new job opportunities across project management, quality assurance and advanced manufacturing, and enable the company to invest more in advanced machining and quality control equipment.
Richard Weinzierl, Australian Precision Technologies managing director, welcomed the opportunity to partner with Kongsberg Defence Australia.
“APT has diversified into the defence and aerospace industry sectors over the past 15 years, and that has provided us with the opportunities to secure contracts such as this through the culture of the company employees and the strategic outlook required to support defence projects,” Weinzierl said.
“The onboarding process with the entire Kongsberg team has provided us with the support and assistance required to be successful with our tender submission. The APT team are delighted to be engaged with Kongsberg Defence Australia and we look forward to building on our business partnership.”
The announcement comes just weeks after Marand was selected for an additional contract by Kongsberg Defence Australia for the production of structural launcher frames and rails for the Naval Strike Missile’s launcher canisters.
Construction on the components began immediately.
“We have been working closely with Marand and are delighted to award this additional contract to them, further expanding our existing relationship,” John Fry, general manager of Kongsberg Defence Australia, said.
“Marand is a very capable Australian manufacturer and we see them as an important local partner on this project where Kongsberg is maximising local manufacturing content within an accelerated delivery schedule.
“These launcher components are significant elements of the Naval Strike Missile and the local production of these systems demonstrate our commitment to furthering Australian manufacturing in support of the Sovereign Guided Weapons Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise.”
Rohan Stocker, chief executive officer of Marand, welcomed the announcement, acknowledging the outstanding collaboration between the two companies.
“We are very pleased to be awarded this contract. As well as the project management, procurement, and assembly processes at Marand, we have leveraged the broader group to bring best of breed in detail component machining and surface treatment processes,” Stocker said.
“We have the capabilities and capacity required for GWEO, where size and production rate are key drivers, so we are pleased that has been recognised.
“Finally, we have appreciated the technical rigour from Kongsberg in Norway and Australia, and the excellent teamwork we have seen.”
