The system, ordered by Australia earlier this year, will initially used to equip 12 platforms

Rheinmetall Defence Australia is seeking industry partners, including electrical, electronics and artillery experts, to cooperate on its Multi Ammunition Softkill System (MASS) the company is supplying to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

In May this year, the company was awarded a contract by the RAN to initially equip its Hobart-class destroyers and ANZAC-class frigates with the MASS, to be produced under license in-country. With the order, Australia became the 16th user nation for the system.

Nathan Poyner, Managing Director, Rheinmetall Defence Australia, said that MASS will initially be used to equip 12 platforms. “For Rheinmetall, the order represents €125 million in sales. The first systems will be delivered by the end of 2023. This is Rheinmetall’s single-biggest order for ship protection technology, and the contract includes an option for equipping Australia’s entire fleet.” The MASS systems ordered by the Royal Australian Navy will be assembled at Rheinmetall’s Centre of Excellence at Redbank in South-East Queensland, he added.

“This will result in new possibilities for expanding the Group’s Australian supply chain. MASS offers potential partners in the Australian defence sector the chance to cooperate with Rheinmetall and the Royal Australian Navy in realizing this important defensive capability.” In addition, he pointed out, “Not only will this maritime order ensure the sovereign capability within Australia, MASS will also bolster employment in defence industry. More than 30 new roles are expected at Rheinmetall as result of MASS, with flow-on benefits for Australian jobs, through these partnerships.”

Following extensive trials, MASS was selected for its unique capabilities. MASS offers comprehensive protection against modern sensor-guided missiles in all relevant wavelengths and can be installed on vessels of all sizes and readily integrated into existing shipboard command and weapon engagement systems or operate as a standalone system. In the standard version, MASS consists of up to six trainable launchers, each of which can fire up to 32 Omni Trap decoy munitions.