The New Zealand Army has selected Thales Australia to supply its small arms ammunition as part of a multi-year contract involving the company’s Benalla facility in Victoria and its Mulwala, New South Wales, operation.

Thales Land and Joint Systems vice president Ian Irving said the company would provide New Zealand with a short and efficient supply line and rapid response to technical enquiries.

“The ammunition is optimised for superior performance in the weapons systems used by the New Zealand and Australian defence forces and is proven to deliver superior reliability and consistency in harsh climates,” Irving said.