Rheinmetall has received an important order in the field of maritime protection systems. The Royal Australian Navy and the Commonwealth of Australia initially ordered the “Multi Ammunition Softkill System” (MASS) ship protection system for their destroyers of the Hobart and frigates of the ANZAC class. After extensive testing, MASS was selected for its unique capabilities. For Rheinmetall, the order is worth €125 million. The first systems are to be delivered by the end of 2023, with full operational readiness to be achieved by 2027. For Rheinmetall’s maritime protection systems division, this is the largest single order to date. In perspective, the order is associated with a volume of up to 1 billion Australian dollars (approx. EUR 610 million),
Martin Fegg, Head of Softkill Protection at Rheinmetallwaffe Munition: “The order from the Royal Australian Navy once again shows the high performance of our MASS. Australia is now the sixteenth user state. We continue to work closely with colleagues from Rheinmetall Defense Australia, who will also be responsible for production on site. For the customer, this offers the advantage of the highest possible added value in Australia.”
The order includes a technology transfer from MASS, enabling Rheinmetall Defense Australia to manufacture the system under license, install it on board the seagoing units and put it into operation. The Royal Australian Navy’s MASS system is assembled at Rheinmetall Defense Australia’s Military Vehicle Competence Center (MILVEHCOE). This opens up further opportunities for the company’s expanding Australian supply chain. MASS offers Australian defense industry partners the opportunity to work with Rheinmetall and the Royal Australian Navy in the delivery of this important defense capability.
“The order is the first naval order of this kind that Rheinmetall has received in Australia and represents a significant milestone in the expansion of industrial presence in Australia,” said Nathan Poyner, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defense Australia. “Rheinmetall Defense Australia is committed to building Australian industrial capacity and creating Australian jobs in the mechanical, electrical, munitions and software sectors.” Nathan Poyner
: “Our partnership with the Royal Australian Navy is a key element of our long-term investment in Australia’s defense capability, and we are proud to be part of the Australian Government’s effort to build a resilient, sustainable and globally competitive defense industry.”
The MASS ship protection system protects ships and boats from a wide range of threats – on the high seas as well as in coastal waters or on rivers from attacks with anti-ship missiles or LASER-guided weapons. Protection is guaranteed in all relevant wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. MASS can be installed on ships of any size. With little effort, it can be integrated into existing command and weapon deployment systems or operated as a stand-alone system. By default, MASS consists of one to six directional launchers, each of which can fire 32 so-called Omni Trap decoy ammunition.
Rheinmetall is constantly developing its tried-and-tested MASS family so that it can continue to offer ships and their crews the best possible protection on the high seas and near the coast.