NIOA and AeroVironment partner on loitering munitions for Australia, New Zealand
Australia’s NIOA Group and US-based AeroVironment announced a strategic partnership at the Land Forces exhibition to bring loitering munitions into service in Australia and New Zealand and support them over time. The collaboration spans AeroVironment’s loitering munitions portfolio, including the combat-tested Switchblade family, with NIOA serving as the local partner for sales, customer relations, support and longer-term capability growth. The firms will also look for ways to expand support and industrial capacity in Australia, tied to Australian Defence Force requirements and the 2024 Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance plan.
NIOA Group, an Australian defense firm, and AeroVironment, based in the United States, used the Land Forces exposition to unveil their collaboration for Australia and New Zealand. Their arrangement covers AeroVironment’s loitering munitions line, notably the Switchblade systems, with NIOA handling regional sales, customer ties, sustainment and future capability work.
NIOA executive Ben James linked the effort to Australia’s 2024 Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance plan, which envisions the Army fielding the Switchblade 300 by 2025 after an earlier purchase decision. AeroVironment’s Justin McFarlin said the tie-up aims to pair established technology with a trusted local industry partner and build sovereign capacity.
The partnership may affect Australian and New Zealand defense planners, local manufacturers, and workers if production or sustainment work grows. It could strengthen military access to loitering munitions and deepen industrial ties with the United States. For communities, the impact may be indirect: possible jobs and skills, alongside debates over defense spending and weapons proliferation. Regional observers may see it as part