The contract is intended to give Australian personnel access to reliable, current and locally supported protective equipment. It will also support domestic defence-industry jobs and technical capabilities.
Aquaterro has supplied more than 75,000 ballistic helmets to the Australian Defence Force during the past decade. The company has also refurbished and maintained more than 30,000 helmets.
The agreement includes camouflage helmet covers designed and manufactured entirely in Australia. Aquaterro employs more than 70 people at its facility in Pakenham, in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.
Defence and Aquaterro have also signed a separate $1.16 million support-services contract. The agreement will expand technical support for small-arms capabilities used by Australian soldiers, sailors and aviators.
The support contract gives Defence access to technical expertise from Aquaterro and SIG Sauer. The government said the arrangement would strengthen Australia’s local defence industrial base while maintaining relationships with international suppliers.
“This investment is about keeping Australian soldiers, sailors and aviators safe and supporting local defence industry and jobs. Aquaterro’s work will play an important role in strengthening Australia’s sovereign domestic supply chains and supporting the sustainment of critical ADF capability,” Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said.
“This is another example of how the Albanese Government is ensuring the capability and protective equipment used by the ADF are supported by local, accessible and responsive technical expertise. Importantly, it supports Australian jobs and strengthens our skilled technical workforce.”
