First production lot of BLU-111 munitions completed

First production of BLU-111 munitions has been completed by Thales Australia.

The milestone was an important addition to Australia’s F-35A Joint Strike Fighter capability, said defence industry minister Melissa Price in a statement, adding that and 15 companies – including five small businesses – were involved in the work.

“This work establishes a strategically important sovereign manufacturing capability to support the Australian Defence Force,” said Price.

“It is a practical example of the Government’s ongoing commitment to domestic manufacturing of munitions, which is one of the 10 Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities under the 2018 Defence Industrial Capability Plan.”

The BLU-111 bombs are described as having the same range and performance as general purpose bombs, but are safer to store and transport.

Picture: Defence Connect

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