NIOA has partnered with North American advanced manufacturing specialist Macrodyne Technologies Inc. to explore munitions manufacturing opportunities in Australia.
The collaboration will focus on advanced munitions filling technologies and establishment of pressed explosives capabilities for a range of warhead and projectile solutions.
The partnership complements NIOA’s growth in munitions metal parts manufacturing and will support sovereign manufacturing of kinetic effectors required for Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) where pressed explosives can achieve scale while increasing effector effectiveness.
NIOA Australia and New Zealand Executive Vice President Ben James said the partnership would combine complementary expertise to support sovereign and allied defence capability.
“NIOA is continually looking at new technologies and manufacturing processes that can strengthen Australia’s sovereign munitions capability and the resilience of allied supply chains,” Mr James said.
“Macrodyne brings world-class advanced manufacturing expertise as NIOA continues to explore the next generation of munitions filling and energetics-related solutions in Australia.”
Macrodyne is North America’s largest hydraulic press manufacturer, specialising in custom-engineered presses, automation and advanced manufacturing systems. Its defence and aerospace work includes equipment for projectile manufacturing, armour production, precision straightening and the forming of aerospace components.
Kevin Fernandes, President of Macrodyne Technologies Inc., said the partnership was an opportunity to apply that experience to an important manufacturing challenge.
“Building munitions capacity takes more than individual machines. The process, handling, controls and production requirements all have to work together,” Mr Fernandes said.
“NIOA knows the Australian munitions landscape, and we look forward to exploring where our engineering experience can support its plans.”
Alex Edge, Senior Business Development Manager Global Markets, Macrodyne Technologies Inc., said the partnership offered significant potential.
“We’re proud to partner with NIOA and explore how Macrodyne’s advanced press, automation and manufacturing technologies can support Australia’s growing defence industrial capability,” Mr Edge said.
“By combining our engineering expertise with NIOA’s munitions experience and manufacturing footprint in Australia, we see exciting opportunities to develop innovative and scalable manufacturing solutions.”
Jeffrey Walsh, Director of Business Development at Macrodyne Technologies Inc., said early collaboration would help the companies examine how different manufacturing steps could be brought together.
“Our work often starts with the whole production process: what needs to happen before and after the press, how material moves, and how the equipment will be controlled,” Mr Walsh said.
“That’s the kind of engineering discussion we’re looking forward to having with NIOA as we explore the opportunities.”
The partnership builds on NIOA’s ongoing exploration of new manufacturing technologies and processes at several facilities that support Australia’s sovereign munitions capability and the requirements of allied partners.
Visit the NIOA stand #4G16 Land Forces 2026 from October 6-8.
NIOA Australia and New Zealand Executive Vice President Ben James (left) and Macrodyne’s Senior Business Development Manager Global Markets Alex Edge sign off on the companies’ partnership at the Land Forces International Defence Exposition in Perth.
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