Patrick Durrant | Sydney
Australian supplier of law enforcement Personal Protective Equipment and engagement systems Aquaterro has an in principle agreement with US manufacturer of high-performance illumination tools, suppressors, and tactical products, SureFire, to manufacture accessories of SureFire’s suppressor systems under license in Australia for Government contracts.
The agreement, which is subject to US State Department approval, will enable SureFire to provide a pathway for development and to integrate solutions to better tailor specific or unique Australian agency or military requirements for large programs. This will allow for design considerations, testing and development to be conducted in country utilising specialised Australian industry and capability partnerships.
“Having a footprint in Australia will enable [SureFire] to tailor products to suit the unique Australian requirements.”
Aquaterro founder and CEO Graeme Bulte said Surefire was the number one supplier of the most technically advanced suppressors in the US. SureFire holds the contract to supply its family of muzzle brakes and suppressors to the US Special Operations Command for weapon calibres including 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm and their equipment is generally favoured by special forces and other law enforcement operators. Bulte explained their suppressors are particularly well known for their ability to eliminate ‘first round flash’, a common problem with many suppressors, and they also have a reputation for exceptional durability.
The agreement leverages the capability and supply chain Aquaterro has established over its 23 years of operation in the Australian soldier/law enforcement systems and engagement systems space.
“Such support aids in creation of advanced manufacturing development and collaboration opportunities that directly benefit the warfighter through made-for-purpose solutions, possible due to input from the end user,” Bulte said.
He told ADM the Australian forces' strategy to rely on technological overmatch and training to leverage success on the battlefield was becoming more widespread and was no longer limited to the special forces and commando units.
SureFire has recognised and noted this, Bulte said, and as part of its larger role supplying the Australian market it would consider Australian technological input.
“Australia uses systems that differ from those in the US, for example, so having a footprint in Australia will enable them to tailor products to suit the unique Australian requirements.”
Pending the approval, Bulte was confident that SureFire would be keen to engage local manufacturers, via Aquaterro, to develop accessories for the products using advanced manufacturing techniques and existing capabilities.
“We've got those companies transitioning from automotive engineering and advanced manufacturing, for example, that have the skill sets and the equipment to do exactly this type of work – these are the types of companies we'll be engaging with in order to best cater for the Australian need.”
Export opportunities were also a possibility.
“We're looking to support Australian home-grown systems by integrating SureFire parts, so if these systems can be exported there's no reason why their associated parts wouldn't be also,” Bulte said. “Those systems with tailor made accessories that make them compatible with SureFire systems will actually be more saleable as a result.”