17 June 2020

Australian firms team up for defence welding projects

by Jon Grevatt

Australian welding company K-TIG has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with local firms Axiom Precision Manufacturing and Bisalloy Steels to develop specialist welding capabilities in support of major projects for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

K-TIG said on 17 June that the MOU is intended to position the companies to meet welding requirements in ADF projects including those to procure military vehicles under Land 400 Phases 2 and 3.

Australia’s Land 400 Phase 3 programme seeks to procure locally built IFVs to replace the Australian Army’s fleets of M113AS4 armoured personnel carriers (pictured). (Australian Defence Force)

K-TIG said that under the terms of the non-binding MOU the three companies will collaborate on developing welding capabilities – based around K-TIG processes – that meet ADF requirements.

Under the arrangement Bisalloy will supply the steels, while K-TIG will develop specialist “keyhole” welding technologies and Axiom will establish capability to weld the steels for a “variety of land, sea, and air-defence projects”.

K-TIG added, “[The] development of an Australian sovereign capability in the welding of specialist defence steels will allow Australian industry to maximise its participation in defence procurements.”

Australian welding company K-TIG has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with local firms Axi...

Jane's Find unrivaled intelligence, consultancy and advertising solutions to the defence and national security sectors.