The Australian Federal Authorities has signed a multi-million greenback settlement with a Queensland-based agency NIOA to begin buying and supplying the subsequent technology of small arms for the Australian Defence Drive (ADF). The contract is a part of a $500 million plus dedication to offer Australia’s troopers, sailors and aviators with enhanced lethality weapon programs. Head Land Programs, Main Common Andrew Bottrell introduced the awarding of the Lethality System Challenge (LAND 159) Tranche 1 contract to Queensland-based firm NIOA, within the lead-up to the Land Forces 2022 Exposition in Brisbane.
Main Common Bottrell mentioned,”The contract would come with munitions and ancillary tools together with optical and laser programs, torches and suppressors for the brand new technology of small arms. Beneath the contract, NIOA would be the prime contractor, working with native and worldwide suppliers and weapon producers on the acquisition, integration, supply and ongoing assist of the brand new weapon programs from 2023. It is a daring step into fashionable weaponry to shortly enhance Australia’s defence preparedness. Early engagement with business had confirmed very profitable.”
Commercial
Between now and the mid-2020s, NIOA will use a variety of sub-contractors to provide new sniper rifles, pistols, shotguns, private defence weapons, preventing knives, and an assault breaching system to the ADF, with most of the new weapons to be on show at Land Forces. NIOA has demonstrated a protracted?time period dedication, non-public funding, and a concentrate on rising sovereign industrial functionality to assist Australia’s battle fighters. The collaboration between Defence and business means we are going to purchase the perfect accessible weapon programs for our troops. Defence will search to maximise Australian business involvement all through the lifetime of the Lethality System Challenge, and guarantee steady engagement with business companions.
New weapons programs to be acquired embrace:
The SIG Sauer P320 XCarry Professional – chosen because the platform for the Sidearm Weapon System, which can exchange the venerable Browning Mk3 pistol. Will probably be complemented with reflex sights, and a white gentle illuminator.
The Benelli M3A1 – chosen because the platform for the Fight Shotgun System. Operable in semi-automatic or pump-action mode, it’s complemented with a crimson dot sight and white gentle illuminator.
The Sniper Surveillance Functionality – chosen to offer ADF snipers with a day and evening functionality utilising the Safran JIM Compact multispectral surveillance gadget and Steiner laser range-finding binoculars.
Australian producer ZU Bladeworx’s Double-Edged Combating Knife – chosen as the premise of the ADF’s new Hand-to-Hand Combating System. The black, double-edged preventing knife has a 100mm blade, is machined from a strong billet of A2 metal and encompasses a non-slip deal with and retention ring.
The SIG Sauer MCX, in .300 Blackout calibre – chosen because the platform for the Private Defence Weapon System, to offer dismounted combatants with a lightweight, modular, and compact weapon system that may be quickly optimised for specialised roles.
The Accuracy Worldwide AX-SR – chosen because the platform for the Lengthy Vary Sniper Functionality. Will probably be launched into ADF service as a multi-calibre system able to delivering in .338 Lapua Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum and seven.62mm NATO calibres.
The M107A1 rifle, manufactured by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Included, – chosen because the platform for the Anti-Materials Sniper Functionality. The M107A1 is a lighter, modernised and suppressed spinoff of the in-service weapon, and is complemented with precision optics, evening imaginative and prescient, and ranger-finding units.
NIOA is an Australian armament and munitions firm, headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Owned by the Nioa household, it’s a privately held firm which is a provider of arms and ammunition to the sporting, regulation enforcement and army markets. Its founder and CEO, Robert Nioa, is a son-in-law of Australian federal politician Bob Katter. On 29 June 2020, NIOA agreed to enter right into a joint tenancy, alongside Thales Australia, of the government-owned munitions manufacturing unit in Benalla. On 9 December 2020, NIOA entered into an settlement with Olin Company to provide the Australian Defence Drive with small arms ammunitions.
