Arms maker NIOA announced former Defence Minister Christopher Pyne has been named chairman of the company’s inaugural Advisory Board. The appointment of Pyne, who retired from politics last year after 26 years in Parliament, caps a four-strong team of recently appointed strategic advisers representing the business, defence and government sectors.
The advisory board members are:
- Major General (retired) Gus McLachlan, former Head of Australian Army Modernisation
Hon David Feeney, former Victorian Senator, Federal MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Defence - Mark Donaldson
- Doreen Chaplin, former First Assistant PEO (APEO) International within PEO Ammunition and NIOA North America regional manager
The board’s mission will be to support NIOA’s executive team, advising on industry trends, providing insights and thought leadership, as well as identifying business development and strategic growth opportunities. NIOA Chief Executive Officer Robert Nioa said Pyne’s appointment rounded off an impressive group of individuals who would bring tremendous personal qualities and unique skillsets to the company at an important time in its growth.
Australian-owned NIOA is one of the largest suppliers of non-guided munitions to the ADF. It recently took up tenancy at the Australian Government-owned munitions factory at Benalla in Victoria and has formed a joint venture with Rheinmetall Waffe Munitions GmbH to produce 155mm artillery shells at a soon-to-be-completed plant in Maryborough, Queensland. The Brisbane-based company recently won Stage 1 of Tranche 1 of the multi-billion dollar contract to run the LAND 159 Lethality Systems Project which over the next decade will replace 26 weapon systems used by Australian soldiers.