MBDA signs MoU with 5 Australian companies for MMP

In the context of Pacific 2017, MBDA announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five Australian companies to enlarge its Australia Partnering Network: South Australian companies Airspeed and Codan, Victorian companies Pennant Australasia and Pelican Trimcast, as well as West Australian based Hofmann Engineering. This MoU is part of MBDA’s strategy to transfer the manufacture of its MMP missile system to Australia if it is selected for the $20 billion LAND 400 programme.

“These companies are truly representative of Australia’s world class engineering capability and I am delighted that we will have the opportunity to work together on such an important programme.” MBDA Australia Managing Director, Andy Watson said.  “We have been engaged with some of these companies for more than four years and LAND 400 is now providing the catalyst to allow us to take these relationships to the next stage”.

MBDA’s MMP is the latest fifth generation land combat missile system designed for dismounted infantry as well as for integration on combat vehicles. Network-enabled, it features fire-and-forget as well as man-in-the-loop operation, and can receive third party target designation for indirect firing scenarios.

“MMP is the only fifth generation anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) in production. It is the most advanced and lowest risk missile solution for Land 400 Phase 2 and offers unique technological and strategic benefits to Australia,” Mr. Watson continued. “Our vision is for MMP to become the first missile that is built, maintained and evolved in Australia. This means that the missile will be assembled in Australia, with key components and vehicle integration kits built by world-class Australian companies. We hope that these companies will become part of MBDA’s global supply chain for MMP and, in the future, for other MBDA systems.”

MBDA also announced its intention to create MBDA Australia Pty Ltd, in a move to further underpin its commitment to Australia. “Today’s announcement is part of an ongoing programme of Australian industrial engagement with further announcements to be made as our plans for missile build and longer term sustainment mature” Dave Armstrong, MBDA’s Group Sales and Business Director, concluded.

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