Page 14 - Defence Industry Guide #57

14 DEFENCE NEWS
ADM’s Defence Industry Guide 2023 | Edition 57 | www.defencesuppliers.com.au
SUPASHOCK SECURES NATO EXPORT CONTRACT
ADELAIDE-BASED Supashock Defence Technologies and Rheinmetall have signed a contract to supply Missile Launch Pods (MLP) for export to a NATO allied partner.
CEO of Supashock Oscar Fiorinot- to, and Rheinmetall CEO Armin Pap- perger signed the contract that would see 84 missile launchers exported un- der a new two year contract.
Fiorinotto said that with the new contract, Supashock’s production programs of the missile launcher now exceed $20 million, creating ap-
LEFT: The contract will see the export of 84 missile launchers.
proximately 25 direct jobs within Su- pashock, and supporting a further 85 roles through local supply chains.
“The landmark technology develop- ment brings a new and unique indus- try niche to South Australia. This con- tract from Rheinmetall will further boost Supashock’s export activities and cements the capability of our sov- ereign defence industry,” he said.
Papperger said the contract signing was timely with the first of 209 Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicles delivered to the Hungarian armed forces recently,
with the Australian-made Lance Tur- ret to be included in the program.
“The Missile Launch Pod, a complete- ly modular design would be integrated into the Lance Turret. The integration decreases target-ability and when fitted with armour plating, provides additional protection,” Papperger said.
“The modularity of the MLP offers capability for multi-platform applica- tion, the architecture can be modified to suit many land and sea applications.”
Supashock developed the MLP in conjunction with partners, Rhein- metall Electronics and Rheinmetall Land Systems Germany. The MLP has a locking system and damping struc- ture. This combined function protects the missile payload and sub-system when stowed in the turret, enabling it to withstand vibration and shock expe- rienced when travelling or performing extreme manoeuvres in combat. Act- ing as a safety mechanism, the lock- ing system ensures the MLP cannot be unintentionally deployed or tampered with from the outside.
BABCOCK APPOINTS LEAD FOR MARITIME PARTNERSHIP WITH NZDF
MARK Worsfold has joined Babcock Aus- tralasia (Babcock) as Program Director – Strategic Maritime Partnerships after 35 years’ service with the Royal New Zea- land Navy (RNZN), his most recent role as Logistics Commander (Maritime).
In his new role with Babcock, Wors- fold is responsible for the safe delivery of New Zealand’s Maritime Fleet Sus- tainment Services (MFSS) program.
As the Strategic Maritime Partner to the NZDF, Babcock provides asset management services including engi- neering, project management, produc- tion and operational support to the entire RNZN fleet, from the frigates through to small craft.
David Ruff, CEO Babcock Austral- asia says Worsfold will continue to serve the Navy by providing the criti-
cal services required to enable the NZ- DF’s maritime capability.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mark to the Babcock team after working closely with him over many years through Bab- cock’s partnership with the RNZN. His detailed knowledge of the New Zealand sustainment enterprise will enhance operational effectiveness and leader- ship of the team.
“Mark will play a fundamental role in maintaining Babcock’s position as the premier warship sustainer in the region. He will leverage Babcock re- gional and global capability to bring best practice and value to the New Zealand program,” said Ruff.
Worsfold will also continue lead- ing the Maritime Enterprise Sustain- ment Team (MEST) – the collabora-
tive partnership that supports the RNZN Fleet.
LEFT: Mark Worsfold with HMNZS Otago.
SUPPLIED
RHEINMETALL