The Group CEO of Australian-owned defence prime NIOA has welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to establish a dedicated Rocket Motor Manufacturing Complex (RMMC) that will deliver critical components for multiple advanced missiles from multiple rocket motor manufacturers.

Rob Nioa says the RMMC - to be operational by 2033 for high-rate production of Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) - builds on the Australian Government’s initial commitment to establish low-rate production of SRMs for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS).

The inclusion of NIOA’s long-term munitions partner Northrop Grumman in the low-rate production phase of GMLRS provides easy opportunities to expand that activity in the main RMMC phase.

NIOA recently extended its agreement with L3Harris’ Missile Solutions business to offer critical, large-scale rocket motor and warhead manufacturing to Australia to ensure maximum viability of a RMMC.

“NIOA’s teaming agreement with L3Harris gives us access to production of the widest possible portfolio of qualified solid rocket motor designs, including Standard Missiles 2,3, and 6, Patriot, Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD), Tomahawk Cruise Missile boosters and warheads, Javelin, Stinger and NULKA,” Mr Nioa said.

Mr Nioa said the US Government’s recent USD $1b investment in L3Harris’ Missile Solutions business demonstrated the US Department of War’s (DoW) commitment to expand critical rocket motor production through L3Harris - a commitment which Australia can leverage.

“L3Harris now brings the US DoW with them to our proposed SRM and warhead solution to the ADF. There is no possible stronger partnership for NIOA or the Australian nation,” he said.

“Australia has more than $8b in Standard Missile and Tomahawk Foreign Military Sales orders with the US Government. There is significant risk around securing timely delivery of these key munitions as the US takes years to replenish their own stocks.

“An Australian facility would deliver hundreds of skilled Australian jobs in the manufacture and testing of propulsion systems for these key munitions, contributing to our own future orders of these critical guided weapons.

“It would also be fully integrated into L3Harris’ supply chain, creating scale through the filling of US DoW orders and support Northrop Grumman and a range of other manufacturers.

“The recently updated 2026 National Defence Strategy (NDS) identified Australia's force posture cooperation with the US as ‘a key pillar in our ability to deter and respond and in strengthening the credibility and resilience of the US force posture in the region’.

“As the Pentagon’s Munitions Acceleration Council (MAC) seeks to rapidly increase production rates in key munitions, the NIOA-L3Harris partnership offers a significant contribution to deterrence in our region and in enhancing the munitions industrial base that underpins Australia's force posture cooperation with the US.”
 

The guided missile destroyer USS Benfold launches a SM-6 Standard Missile during a US Navy exercise in the Philippine Sea. The SM-6 is one of a range of advanced missiles included in NIOA’s teaming agreement with L3Harris. Photo: Courtesy DVIDS/US Navy