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Rheinmetall Defence Australia has kicked off local assembly of the first Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) shipsets, destined for installation on Royal Australian Navy vessels.
This cutting-edge, off-board countermeasure system is engineered to defeat incoming missile and asymmetric threats by generating decoy targets, thereby misdirecting hostile projectiles away from high-value assets.
The MASS will initially equip six naval platforms, with potential plans to extend its use to future fleet vessels. Operating autonomously, the system takes into account local wind conditions, the ship’s navigational data, and threat specifics to deploy its countermeasures effectively.
Nathan Poyner, managing director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia, stated that after extensive trials, the MASS was chosen for its unique capabilities.
He said, “This is the group’s single-biggest order ever for ship protection technology and could potentially grow to equip Australia’s entire fleet. Rheinmetall Defence Australia assembles the systems here before installing and commissioning them on board the Navy’s seagoing surface combatants. The Australian MASS contract has secured more than 30 new jobs at MILVEHCOE for the shipsets. While the contract end date is 2027, we’re committed to the sustainment of these countermeasure units well beyond that time frame.”
Poyner added that the systems are being assembled and tested at the company’s centre of excellence for military vehicles. This initiative not only strengthens the Royal Australian Navy’s defensive capabilities but also paves the way for expanding Rheinmetall’s Australian supply chain. It offers potential partners in the local defence sector the opportunity to collaborate closely with both Rheinmetall and the Navy to enhance Australia’s overall defence capabilities.
“Our partnership with the Royal Australian Navy is a key element of our long-term investment in Australia’s defence capability,” Poyner said.
“We are proud to be part of the Australian government’s work to develop a robust, sustainable and globally competitive defence industry while also building Australian industry capability and creating advanced manufacturing jobs in fields such as mechanical, electrical, ammunition and software.”
The commencement of local assembly marks a significant step forward for both Rheinmetall and the Royal Australian Navy, underscoring a commitment to advanced technological solutions and bolstering Australia’s strategic defence industry.
