Mary's forge fires up

CRAIG WINTER

AUSTRALIA’S first artillery shell has been produced at the new Rheinmetall Nioa Munitions factory in Maryborough.

The defence manufacturer has produced the very first shell casing from it’s new Maryborough plant, an important milestone as it prepares to ramp up production of the world’s most advanced artillery projectiles.

This landmark event comes just over two years after construction began and full rate production is expected to commence late this year, providing more than 100,000 shells/annum.

Once production reaches full speed, the $90m plant will have a workforce of over 100 skilled staff including engineers, line supervisors, skilled operators, maintenance staff and apprentices.

Local Member Bruce Saunders said that the factory represented a leap forward in local manufacturing technology.

“This is a high tech plant.” he said. “And with it comes a higher level of training for locals, more jobs, more prospects, and will attract even more industries to the region.”

The project has had multilevel government backing with a $28.5m injection from the Federal Government’s Regional Growth Fund on top of $7.5m from the Queensland Government’s Jobs and Regional Growth Fund and support from the Fraser Coast regional council.

Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions Deputy Chairman and NIOA CEO Robert Nioa said the successful completion of the first projectile was a significant milestone for the factory and Australian defence industry.

“This is a huge step as we scale up production in Maryborough,” he said.

“It is also a huge step in providing a sovereign munitions capability never seen before in Australia. We’ve never been able to make a 155mm projectile in Australia.

The 155mm shell will be used predominately in the M777 Howitzer, a British-built, lightweight, towed artillery piece used by Australian forces since Afghanistan.

The high tech titanium-based gun is also used by Canadian, UK, Ukraine and US armies and in testing placed 13 out of 14 rounds within a ten metre radius over 24 kilometers range.

It can fire up to 7 rounds per minute.

‘‘As the ongoing conflict in Ukraine demonstrates, the ability to produce your own munitions is critical for any nation. Artillery projectiles are among the highest use munitions in the Ukrainian conflict.

‘‘The world’s best blueprint is right here in Maryborough and it’s a facility that can be readily expanded to respond to Australian and global demand. ‘

‘This would not have been possible without the support from all levels of government.” Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions Chairman and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition CEO Roman Koehne said the joint venture operation with Australian-owned NIOA would secure national defence supply and support the international Rheinmetall supply chain.

“This is an important moment where regional Queensland can become an important player in the global supply network of munitions,” he said.

“RNM is proud to call Maryborough home and we look forward to combining Rheinmetall’s global expertise combined with a highly-qualified local workforce to elevate Maryborough as a centre of military manufacturing excellence.”

RNM Director Jackson Nioa, RNM Project Manager Jeff Crabtree and local member Bruce Saunders at the RNM plant to witness the first shell out of the forge and (below) test pieces.

Craig Winter