Thales Australia has entered into a collaboration agreement with EXPAL Systems S.A. (EXPAL) to establish sovereign capability solutions in Australia for large calibre naval munitions and fuses in support of the ADF and Australia's allies.
The new agreement will facilitate the technology transfer to Australia of IP and support the development of new manufacturing processes that will enable the local production of critical munitions including 5” Charge Propelling (CP) and high explosives projectiles, as well as advanced fuse solutions.
According to a release from the companies, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) currently utilises 5” naval munitions that are manufactured and supplied separately by both EXPAL in Spain, and Thales in Australia. This new agreement between Expal and Thales is expected to provide the RAN greater ‘on demand’, localised access to EXPAL-Thales 5” technology, and provide greater surety of supply for critical 5” munitions capability.
The companies have also agreed to an extensive research and development program, providing a roadmap to the ADF for 5” munition technology enhancement on current and future RAN platforms including munitions offering longer range, reduced sensitivity and precision strike capability.
“Over the past 12 months we have established significant partnerships with some of the worlds’ preeminent munitions providers including EXPAL, to nurture technology transfer to Australia and establish local production capability of critical munitions," Corry Roberts, Vice President Land, Thales Australia & New Zealand said. "This is a clear demonstration of the company’s long-term commitment to growing and maintaining an enduring, sustainable and resilient sovereign industrial munitions capability for the Australian Defence Force."
“We are looking forward to intensifying the cooperation with Thales Australia and provide our Naval Munitions expertise," Luis Abad, Vice President Sales, EXPAL said. "Our complementary technologies will enhance Royal Australian Navy capabilities and optimise Australian Industrial Capability (AIC).”