Within Australia, Nioa as prime contractor is helping deliver the ADF’s Project Land 159 Tranche 1, which is a multi-faceted programme promising a bevy of new small arms to soldiers.
Brisbane-based Nioa had been selected in July 2020 to approach the market and to subsequently evaluate and select eleven categories of weapons and accessories under this AUD527.2 million (USD380.6 million) Lethality Systems project.
Commencement of the acquisition phase of Land 159 Tranche 1 was announced by Major General Andrew Bottrell, Head Land Systems, on 30 September 2022. ‘This is a bold step into modern weaponry to quickly improve Australia’s defence preparedness … The collaboration between Defence and industry means we will acquire the best available weapon systems for our troops,’ he explained.
So what does Land 159 encompass? First off the rank are sniper, surveillance, target acquisition, assault breaching and close-combat weapons. These will serve the ADF beyond 2030.
Already selected are SIG Sauer P320 XCarry Pro 9mm pistols, which will supersede incumbent Browning Mk3 pistols. The P320s have reflex sights and a white-light illuminator. SIG Sauer will also supply its modular MCX in .300 Blackout calibre as a personal defence weapon for specialist roles.
The Australian Army will get new combat shotguns in the shape of the Benelli M3A1 too. Useable in semiautomatic or pump-action modes, the shotguns have red dot sights and white-light illuminators.
Snipers have not been left out either. The Accuracy International AX-SR will act as a long-range sniper rifle, these multi-calibre rifles able to fire .338 Lapua Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum or 7.62mm calibre bullets.
Heavier yet is the Barrett M107A1 anti-material sniper rifle, complete with optics, night vision, range-finding devices and suppressors. Incidentally, the M107A1 had been selected before Nioa acquired Barrett Firearms in early 2023. Also being procured for snipers is Safran’s JIM Compact multispectral surveillance device and Steiner laser range-finding binoculars.
Finally, ZU Bladeworx is providing double-edged fighting knives with a 100mm blade.
While no information is available on the quantity of each weapon type being acquired for the ADF, first deliveries could occur midyear. Nioa will acquire, verify, validate, certify, introduce into service and provide through-life support for each of the aforementioned weapons.
Before making its recommendations for each weapon/accessory type to government, via a final evaluation report submitted on 4 November 2021, Nioa’s ‘best-of-breed’ selection process saw it sampling 649 different products in conjunction with the ADF. More than 31,000 rounds were fired in testing.
Malaysian defense company, Deftech, displayed a range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) intheir booth during the DSA 2022 expo. The…
Airbus has performed a first A380 flight powered by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus’ A380 test aircraft MSN 1…
Cargojet has entered into a five-year strategic agreement with DHL, with a renewal option for an additional two years, to…
The Icelandic airline Eagle Air and the German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft have announced a renewal of their support contract…
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UPNM Malaysia for collaboration and training of faculty…
Meopta is displaying a wide range of military-grade optical gun sights, scopes, and night vision equipment at the Defense Services…
After signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malaysia’s G7 Aerospace at DSA 2022 event on Monday (Mar. 28), Infoglobal…
Insight Atlantic, a Malaysian defense equipment supplier, is displaying a range of made-in Germany, Lowa tactical footwear in its booth…
PAL Aerospace and Thales have signed an agreement to jointly develop the next generation of mission system during the DSA…
Airod Techno Power (ATP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Honeywell International to provide Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)…
Advanced Defence Systems (ADS) has signed an MoU with Nexter on the third day of the DSA 2022 event, Wednesday…
In a public announcement released by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Wednesday (Mar. 30), there have been 54…
Sikorsky and Boeing on Thursday announced six new members, including Magnaghi Aeronautica and Collins Aerospace, of Team DEFIANT. The suppliers…
MA Group will provide the fully integrated landing gear system for the DEFIANT X helicopter, consisting of the nose and…
After spending about US$7.4 million on the project, the Australian government has cancelled its Project Air 7003, a program that…
AerCap has signed lease agreements for ten new Airbus A320neo aircraft and two new Airbus A330neo aircraft with ITA Airways.…
A routine service test for an Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft on April 1 has ended with a surprising result. …
Malaysia-based DefTech and Iveco Defence Vehicles are joining hands to establish an authorised MRO centre for Iveco Defence Vehicles trucks…
General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has begun the first installation of factory upgrades to a Gray Eagle-Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned…
FL Technics has launched a dedicated business line for wheels and brakes maintenance and opened a specialized shop at the…
ScioTeq has launched RDU-4208 LAD, its new full redundant Large Area Display (LAD) that can be deployed in new cockpits…
Etihad Airways, on March 31st., 2022, unveiled its new Airbus A350-1000, registration A6-XWB, on a special inaugural commercial flight from…
RGA-Black Stone Airlines, a newcomer in the Indonesian aviation business, officially started its business in the country after having its…
SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) announced that it has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Impeccable Vintage Properties…
Honeywell has signed separate MOUs with Malaysian firms Airod Techno Power (ATP) and Galaxy Aerospace that will further strengthen the…
AirAsia has announced that it will resume international flights from India to Malaysia and Thailand. Flights are now available from…
Embraer and the Brazilian Army have inked a contract to develop and implement Phase Two of the Army's Strategic Program…
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) officially inducted two Turkish-made T129B ATAK attack helicopters and an Airbus Defense and Space C-295…
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has been selected to support the Japan Coast Guard's (JCG) RPAS Project. Operations will…
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) S26T submarine acquisition project from China is at risk of cancellation due to Germany’s refusal…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2023. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.