Aussie body armour manufacturer trains sights on export

CRAIG International Ballistics, a leading Australian manufacturer of combat-proven body armour systems – which has supplied more than 100,000 soft armour inserts and hard ballistic plates to Defence and local police forces – is set to step up production to meet new export demands.

Craig International Ballistics has signed a joint venture agreement with the United Kingdom’s Cooneen Protection Limited to manufacture and sell composite ballistic protection to the UK, Europe and Middle East.

The joint venture, Cooneen Craig Limited, is the result of strong collaboration between the two companies. Together, they are already participating in tender opportunities to New Zealand, France, Singapore, Belgium and the UK.  

Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne witnessed the signing of the agreement at the recent Eurosatory defence and security international exhibition in Paris.

“This joint venture is a great example of the huge opportunities on offer for Australian businesses in the defence sector, and the strong and growing links that exist between the Australian and United Kingdom defence industries,” Mr Pyne said.

“With companies like Craig International Ballistics leading the charge for export success, the Australian sovereign defence industrial base we need will be more robust, more resilient and better able to meet Australia’s defence capability needs.

“Through the Defence Export Strategy and Australian Defence Export Office we are providing the confidence and support Australian business like Craig International Ballistics need to seize opportunities and pursue export success,” Mr Pyne said.

Mr Pyne said all defence exports would continue to be subject to approval according to Australia’s rigorous export control regulations.

http://www.defence.gov.au/Export/Office/

ends