NIOA and MBDA have signed an agreement to explore Australian manufacture of MBDA’s DELUGE one-way effector.

The announcement was made during the Land Forces 2026 International Defence Exposition in Perth where MBDA showcased the jet-powered expendable drone system for the first time in Australia before it enters production in France next year.

DELUGE is a cost-effective munition designed for saturation attacks through mass, applying sustained pressure on enemy air defences. It has a range of up to 500km, turbojet powered speed of Mach 0.4, robust navigation system, carrying a 50kg class payload.

MBDA is renowned for its cutting-edge missile technology and will leverage battle-proven experience gained in recent high-intensity conflicts to provide allied forces with a next generation one-way attack munition capable of an overmatching affordable mass effect.

This latest agreement deepens the collaboration between Australian-owned NIOA and MBDA, the world’s largest non-US missile manufacturer, after the two companies inked an agreement last November to explore options for the domestic warhead production of MBDA’s MISTRAL suite of missiles.

Designed and developed by MBDA to be produced at high rates in partnership with civilian industries, the DELUGE utilises a readily available warhead including the M795 casings to be produced by NIOA’s joint venture Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions (RNM) in Maryborough, Queensland in a recently announced $72 million Australian Government contract.

NIOA Group CEO Rob Nioa said: “NIOA is pleased to have signed this MOU with MBDA, further reinforcing the relationship between our companies that started with our cooperation on the MISTRAL VSHORAD system.

“The DELUGE One-Way Attack Munition is well adapted to the current and future low-cost mass effect requirements of the Australian Defence Force.”

MBDA VP Deputy Director Future Business Pierre-Marie Belleau (left) and NIOA Group CEO Rob Nioa at the Land Forces International Defence Exposition in Perth where the two companies confirmed an agreement to explore the manufacture of the DELUGE drone in Australia.