Aquaterro to refurbish defence helmets

Melbourne company Aquaterro has won a $35 million contract to refurbish and upgrade the Australian Defence Force’s combat helmets.

The five-year deal follows the construction of a purpose-built 5,000m2 Defence Industry Facility by the company in 2020.

Aquaterro supplies every state and federal police force and border security agency with a wide range of imported operational, tactical and safety equipment.

The majority of required spare parts for the refurbishment will be manufactured in Australia and 10 new jobs created to serve the defence contract at the company in Melbourne’s south-east.

It is the first time the tiered combat helmet built by United States company Team Wendy has been refurbished outside the US.

The helmet provides defence force with protection against ballistic, fragmentation and blunt force trauma, incorporating a ballistic protection shell, suspension and retention systems, and accessory mounts and rails.

Minister for defence industry Melissa Price said the program would extend the life of the existing fleet of tiered combat helmets by five years.

“Companies like Aquaterro are building robust domestic supply chains that we can rely on.

“Aquaterro’s work in establishing this program will help ensure the ADF has the best available capability to defend Australia and its national interests.”

Picture: Aquaterro/Scott Morrison visited Aquaterro in May

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