Australia has signed a contract with the Norwegian company Nammo to supply advanced 25 mm APEX PGU-47/U ammunition for the Royal Air Force's F-35A Lightning II fighters. This is reported by military observers from Army Recognition.
The ammunition has a unique design with a tungsten carbide centering device and a delayed explosive warhead, which allows it to effectively hit armored and semi-armored targets.
Production will begin in 2025 with delivery over the next two years. This is the first large-scale purchase of such ammunition, which will improve the combat capabilities of Australian aviation.
The development of APEX lasted almost two decades and provides optimized aerodynamics, a tracer function to improve accuracy and a safe detonation system. The contract is part of the modernization of Australia's military arsenal and reflects the trend towards the introduction of innovative technologies in modern combat systems. Interestingly, the Royal Australian Air Force recently purchased 72 F-35A fighters, nine of which are equipped with the latest “Technology Refresh 3” systems.