The NIOA Group has taken up a tenancy at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey as it looks to strengthen allied supply of critical munitions.

Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, USA, where NIOA will take up a tenancy in a strategic move aimed at supporting allied defence capabilities. Photo credit: US Army Corps of Engineers

NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa said the company’s expansion into the United States Army’s Joint Centre of Excellence for ammunition and weapons demonstrated its commitment to play a key role in armaments supply to the US Army and its allies.

Picatinny Arsenal has a workforce of more than 6000 military, government and civilian personnel.

It includes key organisations such as Joint Program Executive Office Armaments and Ammunition (JPEO A&A), Project Manager Soldier Lethality and Combat Capability Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM-AC).

The move “inside the wire” at Picatinny signals NIOA’s intent to expand its reach in the US beyond the recent 100 per cent acquisition earlier this year of Tennessee-based Barrett Firearms.

Barrett is a key supplier to the US Army and Special Operations Command, with active contracts for its MK 22 Multi-Role Adaptive Design (MRAD) precision sniper rifle, and the M107A1 .50cal semi-auto anti-material rifle.

Mr Nioa said the tri-lateral AUKUS security agreement had underscored the growing importance of trans-Pacific partnerships between Australian defence companies and the US.

This was highlighted recently by calls from Dr. William LaPlante, United States Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, for greater co-production, co-development and co-sustainment of weapons with close allies.

“Picatinny Arsenal is a vital US hub for defence innovation and collaboration,” Mr Nioa said.

“This strategic expansion comes at a crucial time and demonstrates NIOA’s long-term broader objective to strengthen allied defence capabilities.

“By establishing a stronger presence at Picatinny, NIOA hopes to facilitate closer collaboration with US government agencies to accelerate our contribution to global security.”

As well as its ownership of Barrett, NIOA has long-standing relationships with American companies such as General Dynamics, Northrup Grumman and Winchester through their operation of the Lake City ammunition plant, each of which also have tenancies at Picatinny.

The NIOA Group’s US-based Advisory Board members include a former commander of Picatinny Arsenal, Brig. Gen. (Ret) Alfred Abramson as well as former US Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Hon. Ellen Lord.

NIOA’s Team at Picatinny includes Doreen Chaplin, who was previously the First Assistant Program Executive Office Ammunition and Daniel Napolitano, who was previously Program Manager Combat Ammunition Systems (CAS) Director of International Programs.

About the NIOA Group…

• The NIOA Group includes NIOA Inc [USA], NIOA Australia, NIOA New Zealand, the Australian Missile Corporation, Barrett Firearms [USA)] and joint venture company Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions.

• Established in 1973, NIOA is a global firearms, weapons and munitions company with operations in the USA, Australia and New Zealand and distribution covering more than 75 US State Department approved countries around the world.

• NIOA is a major tenant at the Australian government owned, contractor operated (GOCO) munitions facility at Benalla in Victoria where it is currently manufacturing 120mm munitions for the Abrams tank along with 30mm and 35mm cannon ammunition.

• The company is a joint venture partner with Rheinmetall of Germany in the Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions 155mm artillery forging facility in Maryborough, Queensland, delivering key munitions for US allied nations.

 www.nioa.com.au

STAMFORD, CONN. (November 14, 2023) – GOSAFE Technologies, Inc., a new firearm security company focused on products, training and risk mitigation, is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with Global Defense, a renowned provider of comprehensive global solutions to the firearms and defense industries. Global Defense will partner with GOSAFE as their International Exports partner.

GOSAFE has redefined firearms security with its cutting-edge technology that integrates a mobile safe within the firearm itself, accessible only through a unique-to-user key. This innovative solution offers unmatched levels of protection, enabling firearm owners to safeguard their weapons while ensuring quick and secure access when necessary. GOSAFE’s commitment to revolutionizing firearms security aligns perfectly with Global Defense’s mission of providing unparalleled solutions to the firearms and defense industries.

Commenting on the partnership, CEO Jordan Young expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I first heard about the GOSAFE products a few years ago and was fascinated by the design and innovative locking feature. Gun safety and security can never be overlooked whether at home, on the job, or in the field. Security is one of the firearm owners’ key responsibilities. When Mr. Chris Carlberg called, I learned GOSAFE MOBILE MAG and MOBILE SAFE are now being deployed across the U.S., and I was thrilled to hear. I truly believe the GOSAFE devices will be the new standard in firearms security for gun owners for generations to come, and Global Defense is proud to be the export partner for the GOSAFE line in the expansion into Governmental and Commercial markets globally.”

Global Defense has a longstanding reputation as a trusted provider of comprehensive solutions to the firearms and defense industries, offering an array of cutting-edge products and services. As the International Exports partner for GOSAFE, Global Defense will leverage its extensive global network, expertise in logistics, and commitment to exceptional service to facilitate the distribution of GOSAFE’s groundbreaking products worldwide. Attendees of Enforce TAC and IWA will find GOSAFE products on display inside the Global Defense booth at both of these international trade shows, slated for February 2024.

For more information about GOSAFE, please click here.

Fulda, Germany, 13.11.2023

Mehler Vario System today introduced Mehler Systems, a significant milestone in the journey that brings all the company’s brands under one roof. This new name—Mehler Systems—unites the already renowned brands of UF PRO and Lindnerhof with that of Mehler Protection, itself a new brand that combines all existing ballistic-protection activities of Mehler Systems into one entity.

The move harmonises the name, image, and branding of the entire Group as a leading provider of high-end protection and tactical-equipment systems for worldwide defence and law enforcement customers.

The new brand-name Mehler Systems captures the essence of the total Group’s purpose as a provider of comprehensive solutions for defence and security missions of a challenging nature, but it does more than that. It also speaks to a commitment to continuously evolve and innovate to even better serve clients. “Under Mehler Systems, our new Group brand, we will present a new, unified, and comprehensive Group face to the market. The Mehler Systems brand stresses the breadth and depth of our complementary and corresponding capabilities throughout the Group in each of our companies, under one common roof”, said Mehler Systems CEO Thomas Homberg.

In a step parallel to the adoption of the new brand-name Mehler Systems and the Group-level uniting resulting from it, Mehler Systems has created Mehler Protection through a brand-blending of Mehler Vario System, Mehler Engineered Defence, and Mehler Law Enforcement. This new sub-brand specialises in providing body and platform armour.

Christian Vahldiek, Managing Director of Mehler Engineered Defence, expressed enthusiasm for this collaborative branding effort. “We are excited about this joint initiative and the opportunity to combine our expertise in platform protection with the body armour offerings under a single brand,” he said.

Importantly, however, the brand-blending of the three companies does not alter their individual legal structures.

Although Mehler Systems is now the Group’s overall brand, Mehler Protection, UF PRO, and Lindnerhof will continue as specialised sub-brands, according to UF PRO Managing Director Jože Kastelic and Linderhof Managing Director Jakob Kolbeck. “Each sub-brand brings its unique skillset and established reputation as a provider of integrated, top-quality solutions,” they said in a joint statement.

“Every sub-brand under Mehler Systems is committed to delivering excellence,” Homberg said. “We continuously utilise our combined strengths to ensure that you receive the best. Our dedicated customer group, who risk their health and lives for society’s security, is the reason we continuously strive for innovation. We are persistent in our efforts to enhance equipment and system performance that match the ever-changing mission- and threat-environments of our customers.”

Learn more about this transformation and the Group’s wide range of offerings by visiting the Mehler Systems website.