PERTH, Australia, — Australian defence company NIOA and European missile manufacturer MBDA have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to assess the potential for manufacturing the Deluge one-way attack munition in Australia. The agreement was announced during the Land Forces 2026 exhibition in Perth, held from October 6 to 8, where MBDA displayed the system in Australia for the first time.
Previously known as One Way Effector during development, Deluge is a ground-launched, turbojet-powered munition designed for long-range saturation attacks. It has a three-metre wingspan, carries a 50-kilogram-class payload, reaches speeds of approximately 400 kilometres per hour and has a range of up to 500 kilometres.
The munition follows a mid-altitude flight path and uses autonomous navigation to reach predefined target coordinates. Launched in coordinated salvoes, it is designed to overwhelm enemy air defences through repeated engagements while providing a lower-cost complement to more complex missiles.
Designed for Mass Production
MBDA developed Deluge to support high-volume manufacturing using existing production facilities. The programme involves Aviation Design and commercial industrial partners, including companies from the automotive sector, to reduce reliance on specialised defence manufacturing. The munition also uses standard fuel and warheads to simplify logistics and storage.
NIOA confirmed that Deluge is compatible with M795 artillery casings. These casings are scheduled for production at Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions, a joint venture operating a facility in Maryborough, Queensland. The joint venture recently secured an A$72 million Australian Government contract for casing production, potentially linking existing domestic munitions investments with the proposed Deluge manufacturing programme.
NIOA Group Chief Executive Rob Nioa said, “NIOA is pleased to have signed this MOU with MBDA, further reinforcing the relationship between our companies that started with our cooperation on the Mistral VSHORAD system. The Deluge One-Way Attack Munition is well adapted to the current and future low-cost mass effect requirements of the Australian Defence Force.”
Development and Production Plans
Deluge completed its first prototype flight in September 2025, followed by an initial live-firing test in November 2025. These milestones led to a contract with France's Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), with MBDA planning to deliver the first production batch to French forces in 2027.
The Australian agreement builds on an MoU signed by NIOA and MBDA in November 2025 to assess domestic warhead production for MBDA's Mistral missile family.
The latest agreement focuses on evaluating Australia's ability to manufacture Deluge locally. It does not confirm an Australian production programme or represent a formal procurement order by the Australian Defence Force.
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