Beretta to supply new combat system for the Australian defence force
Beretta Australia has signed an agreement with NIOA to supply the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with Benelli M3A1 Combat Shotguns.
This landmark collaboration forms part of the Lethality System Project (LAND 159) that will equip the ADF with next generation systems and support.
NIOA was announced as the lead in supplying equipment for the LAND 159 project to upgrade the capabilities of the ADF earlier this year. The company is overseeing the multi-million-dollar, multi-decade project and bringing on various suppliers to fit out the ADF.
Beretta works with Benelli, Sako and Steiner to supply services and equipment to military and law enforcement bodies across the globe.
The Benelli M3A1 will provide the ADF with a solid and versatile platform that can be used in various roles. The dual-mode allows the shotgun to convert seamlessly between pump and semi-auto operation and is equipped with Benelli’s patented inertia-driven action system. The selective fire system of the Benelli M3A1 will provide ADF with the broadest flexibility across different mission profiles to employ a spectrum of lethal and non-lethal effects using a variety of munitions – from breaching, less lethal and kinetic options.
In addition to supplying the ADF, Benelli has previously secured essential tenders at NATO and aligned countries in the last few years, including NATO NSPA for Portuguese Army in 2010, the Italian Armed Forces CSSS-Consortium for Safe Soldier System in 2021 and French MOD and Armed Forces in 2022.
The LAND 159 project aims to equip the ADF with next-generation weapon systems, surveillance and target acquisitions ancillaries, ammunitions, facilities and training and support systems. It will ensure ADF ground combatants maintain an advantage over potential adversaries beyond 2030.