Israeli defence company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has announced a new commercial relationship with local Australian steel manufacturer Bisalloy Steels.
Rafael Australia general manager Ido Spitzer said Bisalloy had been singled out for their ability to compete internationally on price, quality and performance. Successful trials of Bisalloy’s armour plating will result in a major export contract that will enable Bisalloy to become a part of Rafael’s global supply chain.
Rafael Australia opened an office in Melbourne in August and it recently announced a joint venture with Varley Group to manufacture its Spike LR2 anti-tank missiles.
Bisalloy Steels is an Australian high-tensile and abrasion-resistant quenched and tempered steel plate manufacturer based in Unanderra, south of Sydney. The company has been operating for almost 40 years and has earned an outstanding international reputation for the quality of its products and technical backup. The uniquely shaped hull of Army's Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle, designed to deflect blasts from IEDs, is built entirely from Bisalloy quenched and tempered HHA (high hardness armour) and Bis 80A (a very high strength structural plate), which is precision cut and laser guide welded to extremely tight tolerances. According to Bisalloy, the result is maximum strength, with minimised weight (a mass saving of between 15 per cent and 40 per cent over standard plate).
“Rafael has been working hard to make lasting and positive relationships with Australian industry as we aim to grow our footprint in a positive and productive way within Australia,” Spitzer said.
Bisalloy CEO Greg Albert said the new relationship is a testament to Bisalloy's position as a competitive Australian supplier in the world market.
“We are excited to be able to expand our international operations for the first time into Israel and are looking forward to the ongoing export opportunities this will provide us.”