Minister for Defence Industry, The Hon Christopher Pyne MP, visited NIOA today, toured the new NIOA facility and met with key Defence related companies based in Brisbane, Queensland, to discuss the opportunities for local industry in the delivery of Australia’s Defence capability. The Minister was accompanied by Trevor Evans MP, Federal Member for Brisbane.

Robert Nioa, Managing Director NIOA, briefed the Minister on the key defence programs NIOA is currently delivering, particularly the supply and support of the MK47 40mm Lightweight Automatic Grenade Launcher, supply and support of the 25mm cannons for the Landing Helicopter Dock and Air Warfare Destroyer, refurbishment of the SAAB 84mm Carl Gustav recoilless rifle, as well as new capabilities being offered to Defence.

The Minister stressed the importance of the defence industry capability that south-east Queensland delivers and congratulated NIOA on their $25 million of private investment in their new facility. The Minister said, “The NIOA facility is an excellent example of how Defence can benefit from private investment, making local defence industry competitive with international companies.”

Robert Nioa thanked the Minister for demonstrating genuine commitment to Defence industry by engaging with defence industry around the country so soon after taking office. Mr Nioa said “We welcome the Minister’s visit and the opportunity to show what an agile, committed prime is capable of delivering.”

The Minister also took the opportunity to meet with leaders of the following Brisbane-based defence companies, to better understand the issues facing defence contractors and how the relationship between defence and industry could be improved. The companies represented were:

• Ferra Engineering
• Haulmark Australia
• Craig International Ballistics
• Micreo Limited
• TAE
• Thales Australia