Global defense and security company EXPAL Systems S.A. and Thales Australia have reportedly signed a collaboration agreement to set up sovereign capabilities for large caliber Naval munitions in Australia.

This deal comes as a support measure for Australia’s allies and Defence Force. The new agreement will ease the technology transition to Australia of Intellectual Property and back the development of new production processes. These processes would facilitate the local manufacturing of important munitions comprising high explosive projectiles and 5” CP (Charge Propelling) along with advanced fuze solutions.

Currently, the RAN (Royal Australian Navy) uses 5” naval munitions that are produced and supplied separately by Thales in Australia and EXPAL in Spain.

This new deal will not only offer localized, on-demand access to RAN for top EXPAL-Thales 5” technology, but it will also offer supply assurance for important 5” munitions capability.

Thales and EXPAL have agreed on long-term research and development initiative, offering a pathway to the Defence Force for the enhancement of 5” munition technology on existing and upcoming RAN platforms including munitions providing reduced sensitivity, longer range, and accurate strike capability.

According to Corry Roberts, Vice President Land at Thales Australia & New Zealand, the company has established substantial collaboration with some established munitions providers over the past year. Roberts added that these collaborations were established to offer technology transition to the country and set regional production ability of important munitions.

On the other hand, EXPAL Vice President Sales Luis Abad commented that the company is seeking to escalate the cooperation with Thales and offer its expertise in Naval Munitions. Abad also pointed out that the company’s technologies would improve RAN abilities and maximize AIC (Australian Industrial Capability).

Thales Australia has developed a national industrial ecosystem over three decades including more than 600 suppliers from Australia. The demonstration of optimizing technology transition to Australia on crucial defense projects is a substantial growth driver in developing the sovereign industrial capability of Australia.

Source credit:

https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/australia/press-release/thales-australia-and-expal-systems-sa-collaborate-sovereign-munitions