Rheinmetall Defence Australia, a subsidiary of Rheinmetall Group, has commenced the assembly of multi-role Soft Kill Systems (MASS) under a contract with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). This naval self-defense system acts as an external countermeasure designed to neutralize incoming missiles and other threats through individual soft kill and screening effects for military vessels. The MASS integrates with shipboard sensors, providing protection against advanced guided missiles by deploying decoys across a full spectrum of electromagnetic wavelengths, including ultraviolet, electro-optical, laser, infrared, and radar. Initially intended for six platforms, the system has the potential for future installation on the upcoming RAN fleet. It autonomously executes countermeasures, accounting for vessel navigation data, wind conditions, and the nature of the threat, effectively creating false targets that mislead incoming missiles into diverting from their original course. Nathan Poyner, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia, emphasized the company’s responsibility to sustain the system’s operational effectiveness beyond the contract’s completion in 2027. The strategic relevance of this partnership lies in enhancing Australia’s naval defense capabilities against increasingly sophisticated threats, ensuring operational readiness and maritime security.
