NIOA Welcomes Sovereign Defence Ambition

7 OCTOBER 2026

NIOA Group Managing Director and CEO Rob Nioa has welcomed NIOA’s selection as a prospective anchor tenant for Western Australia’s proposed defence and advanced-manufacturing hub.

Western Australia Premier and Defence Industries Minister Roger Cook and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Industries Amber-Jade Sanderson today announced that five businesses are progressing Memorandums of Understanding with the WA State Government to become prospective anchor tenants of the Western Defence Forge (WDF). First proponents identified for Western Defence Forge | Western Australian Government

The announcement was made during the Land Forces International Defence Exposition at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre where Australian-owned NIOA is among around 1000 exhibitors from 31 countries. 

Mr Nioa said NIOA was proud to support the WA Government in its ambition to strengthen sovereign capability.

“Australia has the foundations, capability and expertise needed to support a world-class sovereign defence industry,” he said.

“The opportunity now is to build on that strength through continued government investment and support, growing capacity, creating skilled jobs and securing critical defence capabilities for the future.

“As an Australian-owned company, NIOA has invested in sovereign munitions capability for decades and we see the WDF as an opportunity to build on that experience in partnership with the WA Government, Defence and industry.

“We look forward to working with government, industry and partners as we continue to develop important sovereign capability initiatives, supporting Australian industry and Australian jobs.”