Queensland-based arms and defence industry stalwart NIOA is expanding its operations into the United Kingdom, taking advantage of growth in the defence sector and opportunities available under the trilateral AUKUS treaty.
The office will be located at Abbey Wood in Bristol, home to the UK Ministry of Defence’s procurement organisation, and is being described by NIOA as “a hub to work more closely with existing British industry partners while also exploring emerging munitions manufacturing and military supply opportunities”.
The UK expansion was announced by CEO Robert Nioa during a speech at the Australian-British Chamber of Commerce Defence Catalyst dinner in London on 19 July, in front of an audience of high-level stakeholders from both countries including British Army General Sir Roly Walker and Australian High Commissioner Stephen Smith.
Mr Nioa said the company already had engineers onsite, working from temporary workspaces while fit-out was underway.
“Our intention is for this office building to also act as our European headquarters in support of all of the different NIOA Group businesses,” he said.
“We will be looking to build close relationships and support Defence Equipment & Support in their objectives and also build close connections with other UK businesses for both UK and international focussed efforts.”
While best known to sporting shooters as an importer of hunting firearms and ammunition, NIOA has considerable involvement in the defence industry, including owning the Australian Missile Corporation and operating the join venture company Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions.
The company recently purchased Barrett Firearms (of Barrett M82A1 fame), and established a presence at the Picatinny Arsenal in the US state of New Jersey.
NIOA is also established at the Australian Government-owned Benalla munitions factory in Victoria, where the business makes 120mm shells for Abrams tanks, along with 30mm and 35mm autocannon ammo.
Mr Nioa said establishing an office in the UK was a logical next step for the company, given the trilateral AUKUS security pact between Australia, the UK and US.
“As a company we are committed to operationalising the industrial collaboration envisaged by our collective governments under the AUKUS agreement … and it’s not AUKUS without the UK,” he said.
Founded in 1973, NIOA is based in Brisbane and has gone from strength to strength in the subsequent 50 years, including becoming the country’s largest importer of sporting firearms and ammunition.
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