The Australian Missile Corporation and Saab Australia have paved the way for a strategic alliance, as Australia looks to establish a high-tech guided weapons industry. One of the domestic defence industry’s most experienced partners, Saab Australia (Saab) has proven its capabilities over more than three decades. Specialising in the development and integration of command-and-control combat systems and missile solutions, Saab is a proven provider of a sovereign Guided Weapons capability.
The AMC is a wholly owned subsidiary of NIOA – the largest Australian-owned supplier of weapons and munitions to the ADF. The two companies, along with a clutch of other Australian and global businesses, will collaborate to support the establishment of the sovereign guided missiles enterprise announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison earlier this year.
Robert Nioa, CEO of NIOA and the Australian Missile Corporation, welcomed the support of Saab Australia: ‘’We are delighted to welcome Saab Australia into the fold. They are a trusted sovereign prime system integrator and development organisation with a reputation for providing complex, high-technology solutions to the Commonwealth.’’
Andy Keough, Managing Director of Saab Australia, said: ‘’We look forward to working with the AMC team and its collaborators and bringing our engineering expertise to strengthening the nation’s sovereign Guided Weapons capability.’’
NIOA was founded in regional Queensland in 1973 and is the largest Australian-owned weapons and munitions Prime Contractor. Committed to the development of Australian sovereign capability, NIOA is investing $130 million in domestic munitions and explosives manufacturing over the next five years, including a $60 million artillery shell forging plant in Maryborough Queensland with joint-venture partner Rheinmetall Waffe Munitions, an upgrade of the Commonwealth’s Government-owned Benalla munitions plant in Victoria and an $11 million expansion of its Brisbane warehouse and distribution facility.
Saab Australia has been providing innovative solutions to the Australian defence forces since 1987. Employing more than 570 staff, the company develops, delivers and supports major military command and control systems, as well as significant in-service support to the Army and Navy.
Former US general joins AMC advisory board
The brigadier general who commanded the US Army’s armament centre of excellence has been appointed to the inaugural advisory board of the Australian Missile Corporation (AMC). Alfred Abramson led the US Army’s development of advanced munitions from the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey where he was stationed as Joint Program Executive Officer Armaments & Ammunition and the Commanding General from 2017-2020. Picatinny Arsenal is the US Army’s headquarters for armament research and development, with more than 6500 military, government and civilian personnel and a highly skilled workforce of technicians, scientists, and engineers.
The AMC board’s mission is to assist the executive team, advising on industry trends, providing insights, and thought leadership, as well as identifying business development and strategic growth opportunities.
‘’We are excited to welcome Al to the board,’’ Nioa said. ‘’As well as being a widely respected leader during service to his nation, he has a track record of directing, planning and overseeing key US Army modernisation projects. This experience will be invaluable to the AMC as we work closely with government, industry, academia and key strategic partners to create new defence manufacturing opportunities in Australia to provide our defence forces with the best equipment possible.’’
After drawing the curtain in 2020 on a distinguished Army career spanning 30 years, Alfred was appointed Vice President, Strategy and Plans for Patricio Enterprises which provides services to the US Department of Defense across command levels and mission areas. He studied at John Hopkins University and holds degrees in chemistry as well as graduate degrees in national security and strategic studies from the US Naval Command College and Army War College.
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Kym Bergmann at kym.bergmann@venturamedia.net
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Director of Sales Graham Joss at graham.joss@venturamedia.net
