Nioa to supply towed howitzer ammo
Nioa has received a $100 million contract to supply 155mm lightweight towed howitzer ammunition to the Australian Army.
The company will supply the high-performance Rheinmetall ASSEGAI 155mm projectiles, including HE, HE-ER, PRAC, HES, SMOKE, visual and IR illumination projectiles, modular charge systems and a range of high performance fuzes for Australia's LAND 17-1C.2 Future Artillery Ammunition programme.
The contract includes the qualification of the ammunition family for the M777A2 howitzer, including integration into the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System automated fire support command-and-control system, followed by the supply of stock.
It is anticipated that annual training requirements will be added to the contract upon successful completion of the qualification programme.
Australia's Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, said: 'Nioa’s partnership with Rheinmetall Defence, their subsidiaries and Junghans Microtec, demonstrates the innovative approaches embraced by Australian companies to ensure our military is equipped with the best capabilities in the world.
'This ammunition will replace an ageing ammunition stock, providing increased range and lethality, as well as a greater range of effects such as infrared illumination to enhance the army’s advanced night fighting capability.'
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
Australian Army experiments with UGVs, but seeks understanding before proliferation
The Australian Army is exploring the options and benefits of a wide range of UGVs.
-
British Army programme cuts could continue in 2025
The six-month old Labour leadership in the UK has already made cuts and army programmes could be on the chopping block in 2025. Where might the axe fall?
-
NZ begins modernisation of its tactical vehicle fleet
VAMTAC vehicles are expected to replace one-quarter of New Zealand’s Pinzgauers and Unimogs.
-
BAE Systems receives $656 million contract for more Bradley vehicles
BAE Systems has been contracted to install modifications on older versions of the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) creating the M2A4 and M7A4 and keeping the platform in service until 2050.