The Australian Government today announced two major Department of Defence contracts signed with Aquaterro for arms and armour. It is one of the largest Defence contract-value announcements to any Australian company of 2026.
Founded 32 years ago, Aquaterro is 100% Australian owned and employs around 70 Australians, working in close cooperation with world-class US OEM partners.
Aquaterro supplies, integrates, supports, maintains, and manufactures products and systems for: defence, law enforcement, first response, and rescue, for Sea, Land, and Air domains.
“The confidence and trust the Commonwealth has shown in Aquaterro, is incredibly rewarding for our team.” said Aquaterro Founder and CEO, Graeme Bulte.
“These vital elements of the Integrated Soldier System, combining both Arms and Armour, with total integration, engineering, support and sustainment being provided by Australians, in Australia, is a great example of what can be accomplished with an Australian owned company delivering on major contract requirements for Australians in uniform.”
Bulte went on to say; “The long-standing partnerships we have with SIG SAUER and Team Wendy Ceradyne are critical to the success of the work we do and these programs in particular; supporting the Australian Warfighter with the very best equipment in the world.”
The two Soldier Systems contracts the Australian Department of Defence has signed with Aquaterro are;
The Combat Helmet Contract an investment by the Australian Department of Defence of up to AUD$160 million (US$115m), for supply and support of the Combat Helmet and Combat Vehicle Crewman-Enhanced Helmet, as well as enabling advancements in technology to be adopted throughout the contract term. Aquaterro has invested in the only Combat Ballistic Helmet Refurbishment Facility outside the United States, a multi-million dollar sovereign capability which provides through-life complete refurbishment of the fleet to ensure protection and life-of- type value is maximised.
Aquaterro has supported the ADF with headborne protection systems for 10 years, supplying over 75,000 Team Wendy ballistic helmets, as well as Armor Source/Peacemaker CVC-E helmets, and conducting refurbishment maintenance services on over 30,000 helmets from the ADF fleet.
Graeme Bulte said; “The close working relationship we have had for over a decade with Team Wendy Ceradyne, is the key to the success of the program to date, and behind our selection by the Commonwealth to continue this capability provision.”
The new contract also includes the provision of 100% Designed and Made in Australia Peacemaker® camouflage helmet covers for Combat and CVC-E Helmets. Aquaterro and its’ Peacemaker® design and manufacturing enterprise, is one of the very few entities licensed to manufacture with AMCU (Australian Multicam Camouflage Uniform). The first purchase order under the new contract for Peacemaker® Helmet Covers has been published, valued at AUD$2.45m (US$1.72m).
Peacemaker® has become Australia’s premier domestic brand of tactical textile products, with widespread major contract supply to Australian state and federal law enforcement, as well as Defence.
The Aquaterro Services Contract, a versatile “Support” contract (similar in many ways to a US IDIQ contract) in support of the Australian Army’s Integrated Soldier Systems LAND300 Program, will provide recurring-services direct support for SIG SAUER small-arms systems, as well as enable future provisions and next generations of technology and support. The work will be centred at Aquaterro’s 4.5 acre, high-security defence precinct, including, its armoury, range, secure warehouse, advanced manufacturing workshops, and integration facility. The contract includes the joint capabilities of Aquaterro and SIG SAUER working together collaboratively to directly support the Australian Defence Force.
Graeme Bulte said; “The collaborative partnership Aquaterro and SIG have developed over many years, is best described in SIG’s stated mission: to be a reliable, long-term partner to our customers, recognized for the quality and value of our products and the reliability of our commitments. This newly executed contract will provide the Australian Defence Force with the direct benefit of that commitment, and the vertical capability SIG and Aquaterro can deliver.”
Aquaterro has invested over $25m in specialised high-security defence infrastructure to support Integrated Soldier Systems, including small arms, ammunition, and ancillaries. All SIG small arms systems supplied to Defence to date, have completed their manufacturing and final checks at Aquaterro’s facility, where specialised laser marking to meet ADF requirements is conducted.
Australian Federal Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP said;
“This investment is about keeping Australian soldiers, sailors and aviators safe and supporting local defence industry and jobs. Aquaterro’s work will play an important role in strengthening Australia’s sovereign domestic supply chains and supporting the sustainment of critical ADF capability.”
The two contracts represent a substantial investment by the Australian Government to support the individual men and women of the Australian Defence Force – the most important of all defence platforms – with world leading integrated soldier systems.
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