RWM Italia S.p.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Rheinmetall AG in Italy, has won an order from the Commonwealth of Australia to deliver a significant quantity of smart sea mines. For Rheinmetall, the order is worth a figure of low three-digit million-euro range with potential growth in the coming years.
This important contract underscores once again the great trust the Commonwealth of Australia places in Rheinmetall and its products. The Australian Defence Forces have purchased latest generation of Rheinmetall smart sea mines, which will strengthen the Australian maritime Defence capabilities, with mines able to be deployed from several platforms. Defence evaluated market options last year, and has selected RWM Italia to provide the capability.
RWM Italia was assessed by the Commonwealth of Australia to possess both the technology to meet ADF strategic objectives and the ability to produce the quantities of mines required. The types and numbers of sea mines to be provided are classified, but delivery is expected to commence this year.
Rapidly deployable and technologically sophisticated, the RWM Italia smart mines will provide a new level of deterrence to any potential adversary. Australian Industry will be engaged in the ongoing sustainment of the capability.
The Group’s centre of excellence for underwater defence systems, RWM Italia is a leader in the strategic domain of multi-influence naval mines and mine-clearing systems, with a presence in over 20 countries.
RWM Italia, the Group’s centre of excellence for underwater defence systems, is a leader in the strategic field of multi-influence mines and minesweeping systems, with a presence in over twenty countries. Together with Rheinmetall Defence Australia Pty Ltd, Rheinmetall’s lead unit in Australia, RWM Italia is committed to supporting the ADF in the long-term use of these systems.
Australian Air Marshal Leon Phillips, Chief of Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance, said: “The reinvigoration of a maritime mining capability for the ADF will increase its ability to deter through denial any adversary’s attempt to project power against Australia through our northern approaches, and protect Australia’s economic connection to our region and the world. We are providing the ADF with the capability it needs for the 21st century. Rapidly deployable and technologically sophisticated, smart sea mines will provide a profound step-up for the defence of Australia. The level of technology involved in this acquisition will take our forces to the cutting-edge of modern military hardware. The sea mines will be maintained in Australia and some elements may be manufactured here, potentially including the explosive fill.”
So another announcement of something previously announced?
Correct. First announced in May.
Wasn’t this already announced a couple of months ago ? . it seems like the DoD is just rehashing previous announcements so that they appear to being proactive. If they want to announce something, How about the outcome of the Maritime Auxiliary Project or if the original concept of the Sea 1180 replacing the Huon Class, Armidale Class, Leeuwin Class and Palma Class with one vessel is still in place or one the myriad of other projects that seem to have vanished.
The re-announcement of projects seems to have reached fever pitch. I’ll have a bit more to say about this – but as we are finding out, the DSR put so many projects on hold that there isn’t much to announce, apart from some FMS buys, so we are going to see more of this stuff to create the impression that everything is going swimmingly.
so does this mean that between the last announcement of this order and this one they have dropped the idea of mass producing these in Australia. I would have thought, even though they are ‘smart’ sea mines they would be a perfect ‘relatively’ easy mass producible weapon to wet our appetite on.
Also, would a flotilla or two of fast mine laying ships, about the size of corvettes, be a useful & affordable way to expand their deploy-ability. Allowing navy to ‘shape’ the battlefield before the battle starts and protect strategic areas without tying up the ‘big’ stuff. Korea has such a specialized type.
I also noticed that Australian content is an option.