NIOA produces first Boxer armoured vehicle ammunition

Queensland munitions manufacturer NIOA has begun production of 30mm ammunition for the Army’s next-generation armoured Boxer combat reconnaissance (CRV) vehicle, marking a new high for munitions manufacturing in Australia.

The company will produce 40,000 rounds of medium calibre training ammunition at the Commonwealth Government-owned NIOA-operated plant in Benalla, Victoria for the eight-wheeled Boxer, which is being manufactured Rheinmetall.

At a recent factory tour NIOA Australia and New Zealand CEO Ben James welcomed the government’s recent $220 million investment in munitions production at Benalla and another government-owned contractor-operated (GOCO) factory at Mulwala in New South Wales.

James said: “This will further support Australia’s growing defence industrial base and comes at an exciting time as we ramp up production of the Boxer ammunition at Benalla.

“NIOA’s $12 million investment at Benalla reflects our commitment to work with Government and Defence in delivering sovereign capability and local jobs.

“We have a highly qualified and professional team at Benalla who have worked exceptionally hard to reach this key milestone in sovereign munitions manufacture.”

The Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy and Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise Chief AVM Leon Phillips toured NIOA’s Benalla operation to view first production.

A key recommendation of the Defence Strategic Review was to replenish GWEO stocks and to establish sovereign missile and munition manufacturing facilities in Australia.

Conroy said: “Improving Australia’s ability to manufacture the munitions our defence force needs is not only critical to meeting the strategic challenges we face as a nation, it will also support local industry and well-paid, skilled local jobs.

“The Mulwala and Benalla munition factories underpin Australia’s ability to develop critical propellants, explosives and munitions for the Australian Defence Force.”

The NIOA tenancy at Benalla maintains the Commonwealth’s capabilities for the manufacture of primary energetics, pyrotechnics, medium calibre, mortar and tank ammunition, hand grenades, fuzes, primers, along with various laboratory test facilities.

Further reading:
Federal government to invest $220 million at Benalla and Mulwala factories

Picture: Nioa/30mm projectiles bound for testing in the Boxer combat vehicle’s cannon.