Page 12 - Australian Defence Magazine Feb-Mar 2023

12 NEWS REVIEW INDUSTRY UPDATE
FEBRUARY-MARCH 2023 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
BOEING TO CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR CHINOOK
LEFT: CH-47 Chinooks arrive in Broome
to assist the Western Australian Government in the Kimberley
“Chinooks have formed a significant com- ponent of Australia’s contribution to battle- field aviation capability,” Fairweather said.
“The Australian Defence Force has a longstanding history with Chinooks. The platform has a reputation for consistently delivering effective, safe and affordable capability for Defence.”
The extension will see the total contract value increased to $146 million.
DEFENCE
Australia’s CH-47F Chinook fleet is based in Townsville, with maintenance and sustainment service support provided in Oakey and Brisbane.
“The CH-47F Chinook fleet is an im- portant capability for Defence, providing critical lift capability on several domestic and regional operations, including Bush- fire Assist in 2020, and Tonga and Flood Assist in 2022,” Fairweather said.
“This contract extension will expand the
maintenance and training support for our Chinook fleet, while boosting opportuni- ties for defence industry in Queensland.”
The contract extension will add an ad- ditional 15 ongoing positions and three apprenticeship employees for Queensland industry.
This contract follows the arrival of two ad- ditional Chinook helicopters in 2022, which joined the Australian Army Aviation Com- mand’s existing 12 CH-47F Chinook medi- um-lift helicopters operated by C Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment in Townsville.
ABOVE: NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa has announced the company’s acquisition of US rifle maker Barrett Firearms
ficer Bryan James becomes President. Ronnie and Chris Barrett will provide ongoing support as executive advisers to
Barrett and the NIOA Group.
“[This] marks the beginning of a new
chapter in the Barrett story,” Barrett found- er Ronnie Barrett said. “Rob and the NIOA team have great respect for the legacy Bar- rett has created as the leader in long range precision rifles. It’s reassuring to know Barrett will be in good hands with a family- owned company that is focussed on manu- facturing and delivering world-class fire- arms and munitions to a global network.”
BOEING Defence Australia will continue to support the maintenance, training and sustainment services for Army’s fleet of 14 CH-47F Chinook helicopters following a contract extension signed by Defence.
First Assistant Secretary Joint Aviation System Division, Shane Fairweather, said the $41 million contract extension would ensure continued support for the Chinook fleet over the next five years.
NIOA ACQUIRES US MANUFACTURER
NIOA has expanded its global reach with the 100 per cent acquisition of US rifle design and manufacturing company, Bar- rett Firearms.
In announcing the deal, NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa said the two family- owned companies came together out of ‘a shared commitment to quality, innova- tion, loyalty, and mission’.
“NIOA’s association with Barrett dates back to 2008. We have been inspired by the story of Barrett and admire what Ron- nie, Chris and the family have built over more than four decades,” Nioa said.
“It’s been a story of hard work, perse- verance, and purpose culminating in the delivery of critical capability for the men and women of the US military and its al- lies around the world as well as exception- al products to law enforcement agencies and civilian markets.
“Together we share the same mission – combining our expertise and family busi-
ness values will ensure Barrett carries on building the finest products in the world.’’ Nioa confirmed the company would
continue to operate under the Barrett brand as a separate division within the NIOA Group alongside NIOA Australia, NIOA New Zealand, the Australian Mis- sile Corporation and the group’s invest- ment in joint venture company Rhein- metall NIOA Munitions.
All management and staff at the Murfrees- boro manufacturing facility in Tennessee have been retained and production will con- tinue as normal, the company said. Over time it is expected that manufacturing activities in Murfreesboro will be further expanded.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Nioa also announced two key leadership appointments – current Barrett President Sam Shallenberger has been promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer while long-serving Barrett Chief Operating Of-
NIOA GROUP