Brisbane-based NIOA has been awarded a $100 million contract to provide 155mm ammunition for the Australian Army’s M777A2 Lightweight Towed Howitzer guns.

The Rheinmetall ASSEGAI 155mm projectiles will be supplied in multiple configurations, including HE, HE-ER, PRAC, HES, and SMOKE. It will also include Visual and IR Illumination projectiles, modular charge systems, and a range of high performance fuses from Junghans Defence.

“We are very proud to have successfully assembled the ‘best of breed’ team in Rheinmetall Defence, their subsidiaries, and Junghans Defence, resulting in the successful negotiation and award of this contract,” Robert Nioa, managing director of NIOA, said in a statement.

“I commend the outstanding cooperation and support we have received from our international partners and I also commend the Commonwealth on the professional management of this program, with all milestones being successfully delivered to date.  We now look forward to the challenge of qualification and integration to the M777A2, and successful delivery of this advanced capability to our warfighters.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne added, “NIOA’s partnership with Rheinmetall Defence, their subsidiaries and Junghans Microtec, demonstrates the innovative approaches embraced by Australian companies to ensure our military is equipped with the best capabilities in the world.

“This ammunition will replace an ageing ammunition stock, providing increased range and lethality, as well as a greater range of effects such as infrared illumination to enhance the Army’s advanced night fighting capability.”

The contract includes a program to fully qualify the ammunition family for the M777A2, including integration into the AFATDS automated fire-support Command and Control (C2) system, followed by the supply of high performance war stock.