UK-based defense technology company Qinetiq is joining forces with the Australian Missile Corporation to compete for work under the Australian government’s push to develop a sovereign guided-missile development and production capability.
The AMC was created on the back of the Australian government’s plan to accelerate a domestic guided missile manufacturing enterprise, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of NIOA – the largest Australian-owned supplier of weapons and munitions to the Australian defense force.
QinetiQ’s Australia branch has more than 600 employees and is delivering design and prototype engineering, structural integrity, range and facility management and test and evaluation capabilities.
The company said it is joining more than 300 Australian and international businesses that have already teamed up with the AMC.
“By drawing on QinetiQ’s global experience across aerospace, land and maritime domains, the AMC will be well positioned to advance the government’s ambition in realizing this important enterprise for the nation,” Robert Nioa, CEO of NIOA and the Australian Missile Corporation, said.
“QinetiQ is delighted to support the AMC in establishing this vital defense capability. We operate world class, independent T&E capabilities around the world and are actively investing to develop similar capabilities here in Australia,” Greg Barsby, managing director of QinetiQ Australia, added.
AMC will be competing against a pure-Australian joint venture called the Sovereign Missile Alliance while industry majors such as Raytheon Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia, Konsberg and BAE Systems Australia are also expected to be in the running for the A$1 billion sovereign guided weapons enterprise undertaking.
Australia is currently looking for industry partners that could help it deliver a capability to develop and build precision weapons that will meet Australia’s growing needs.
The establishment of the guided missile enterprise will be overseen by the Chief of Joint Capabilities (CJC) Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, who will serve as the capability manager for the enterprise.
