Company news·07 Apr 2026
Company news
20 Apr 2026
Mehler Systems Signs a Share and Purchase Agreement for the Acquisition of Craig International Ballistics to Strengthen Manufacturing and Innovation Footprint in APAC
FULDA, GERMANY (XX April 2026)
Mehler Systems has signed a share sale and purchase agreement to acquire a major stake in Craig International Ballistics (CIB). The acquisition is still pending approval under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act of Australia. Following the transaction, Craig International Ballistics will become part of Mehler Systems – joining the group as a trusted partner. CIB will work closely with Mehler Protection’s body and platform armour divisions while continuing to operate under its established brand and local leadership.
The investment strengthens Mehler Systems’ commercial footprint and customer proximity in the Asia-Pacific region and reinforces its position as a provider of high-quality, technologically advanced protection systems.
Establishing a Production and Innovation Hub in the Southern Hemisphere
The integration of CIB marks a further step in Mehler Systems’ internationalisation and technology strategy. The Queensland site will serve as a central production and innovation hub for customers in the Southern Hemisphere, supporting both regional requirements and global programmes.
Dr. Mario Amschlinger, CEO of Mehler Systems, commented: “With Craig International Ballistics, we are welcoming an established Australian provider with a proven track record in supporting sovereign defence capabilities. By combining CIB’s strong presence and long-standing customer relationships in Australia with Mehler Systems’ portfolio, we will be able to serve customers in the Asia-Pacific region even more closely and respond to local requirements with enhanced speed, support and service. We gain direct access to existing programmes and relationships with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and other government clients, while also expanding our global reach.
"This investment is intended to geographically diversify our customer base, increase the resilience of our supply chains, and accelerate Mehler Systems’ development as a globally recognised provider of protection systems,” said Dr. Mario Amschlinger, CEO of Mehler Systems.
Scaling Capabilities for Complex Ballistic Protection Solutions
Craig International Ballistics brings advanced manufacturing, in-house testing, and development capabilities, enabling rapid prototyping and the transition of new protection concepts into series production. The company specialises in composite ballistic protection systems, including personal protection, armour panels, and structural and platform protection systems for land, air, and maritime platforms.
As a long-standing supplier to the Australian Defence Force and law enforcement agencies, CIB has established a strong track record in delivering combat-proven protection systems across multiple operational domains.
With demand growing for modular, weight-optimised protection systems across defence, government, and critical infrastructure applications, the integration of CIB strengthens Mehler Systems’ ability to deliver specialised solutions and support customers across complete mission profiles.
Aligned Development Approach and Operational Integration
James Craig, CEO of Craig International Ballistics, outlines the company’s approach: “With our broad range of ballistic protection plates for naval, aerospace and structural applications, we have contributed to Australia’s sovereign protection capabilities for many years, delivering solutions that integrate seamlessly into international programmes. The close integration of research, development, manufacturing and testing enables us to swiftly adopt new materials and production techniques.”
Together with Mehler Systems, we will be able to deliver high-performance, weight-optimised protection solutions for the APAC region and beyond even more quickly in future,” said James Craig, CEO of Craig International Ballistics.
CIB’s development-driven culture aligns with Mehler Systems’ technology roadmap, reinforcing a shared focus on technical excellence, operational relevance, and long-term partnerships.
Long-Term Growth Anchored in Industrial Capability and Partnerships
With the acquisition of a major stake in Craig International Ballistics, Mehler Systems is pursuing long-term growth based on clearly defined security and industrial policy principles: regional anchoring, technical excellence and reliable partnerships with customers and public authorities..
The integration of CIB strengthens the industrial base in Australia and supports the continued delivery of high-performance solutions for defence, security, and critical infrastructure applications.
Press Release
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