First exports roll out from Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions

Defence manufacturer Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions’ Queensland artillery shell plant has made its first export shipment to its customer in Germany, as the new factory is moving towards full-rate production. The Maryborough factory’s workforce has more than doubled to 60 since this time last year, with another 30 vacancies to be filled by July. Rheinmetall Waffe…

NIOA’s new group structure reflects business ‘inflection point’

Australian munitions company NIOA today unveiled a corporate reorganisation and new executive appointments that Group CEO Rob Nioa said reflected an inflection point in the company’s development. The reorganisation comes hot on the heels of the Queensland company’s acquisition of US-based rifle manufacturer and designer Barrett. Nioa said the family-owned NIOA was at an inflection…

NIOA enters US manufacturing with firearms buy

Privately owned Queensland defence contractor NIOA has entered US military manufacturing with the 100 per cent acquisition of the Tennessee rifle design and manufacturing company, Barrett Firearms. The purchase price was not revealed. Revealing the company-changing move, NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa (pictured) said the two family-owned companies came together out of a shared commitment…

NIOA, Diehl unveil naval ammunition partnership

Australian manufacturer has revealed it will team up with one of the world’s leading military manufacturers in what the company described a major step towards the local production and supply of naval munitions At the Land Forces 2022 International Defence Exposition in Brisbane, Queensland’s NIOA announced a strategic partnership with German defence equipment manufacturer Diehl…

NIOA wins contract for next generation Army weapons

The Federal Government has signed a multi-million dollar agreement with Queensland company NIOA to start acquiring and supplying the next generation of small arms for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The contract is part of a $500 million plus commitment to provide Australia’s soldiers, sailors and aviators with enhanced lethality weapon systems. The Head Land…

Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions produces their first artillery projectiles

Defence manufacturer Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions has manufactured the first artillery projectile from the joint venture’s new Maryborough, regional Queensland plant. The completion of the first batch of projectiles comes a little over two years after construction began on the greenfield site in the Moonaboola Industrial Estate, with a ramp up of production to follow. When…

NIOA in multi-million dollar ADF weapons project

Queensland-based munitions manufacturer NIOA has been selected to deliver the first stage of a major weapons upgrade for the Australian Defence Force. Defence minister Peter Dutton said Tranche 1 of the LAND 159 Lethality System would equip Australia’s soldiers, sailors and aviators with next-generation mission systems, surveillance and target acquisitions ancillaries, ammunitions, facilities and training…

NIOA ramps up recruitment drive

Defence contractor NIOA is embarking on the biggest hiring spree in its 50-year history in its drive to become Australia’s global firearms, weapons and munitions company. Engineers, business development professionals, account managers, administration personnel and warehouse workers are wanted across the company’s operations in Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, Benalla in regional Victoria and Lithgow, New South…

NIOA trials rifle sensor-fusion technology

A ‘smart rail system’ that transforms rifles into data nodes linking soldiers in the battlefield with tactical leaders and commanders, is being trialled by NIOA. The Brisbane prime defence contractor has linked with technology and licensing company T-Worx to investigate application of its Intelligent-Rail (I-Rail) technology for use in the Australian Defence Force. The rifle-mounted…