Craig International Ballistics

What Craig International Ballistics does

Craig International Ballistics (CIB) is an Australian manufacturer of composite ballistic protection systems headquartered on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Founded in 2001, the company designs and produces personal body armour (ballistic plates, concealable and overt vests, personal shields, training products), survivability solutions for aircraft, naval vessels, and land vehicles, and transparent armour for vehicle, architectural, and marine applications. Its core technology stack combines aramid fibres (DuPont Kevlar), ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (Honeywell Spectra Shield, Dyneema), and ceramic materials (Boron Carbide, Silicon Carbide, Alumina Oxide), manufactured using autoclave processing, robotic X-ray non-destructive testing, and ultra-high-pressure waterjet cutting, with designs modelled in SolidWorks 3D CAD and certified to NIJ, NATA, STANAG 4569, and AS/NZS 2343 standards. CIB is Australia's largest armour manufacturer and the primary sovereign supplier of body armour to the Australian Defence Force, with over 600,000 components delivered to date and contracts including the AUD 60 million LAND 125 Phase 3B programme and a $30 million 2024 ADF order.

The company generates revenue primarily through one-off defence contracts awarded via competitive tender to the ADF, with secondary revenue from prime contractor subcontracts (e.g., BAE Systems Australia for Hunter Class Frigate transparent armour), direct sales to Australian and international police forces, exclusive distribution of AGP bullet resistant glass across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, and a small e-commerce channel for non-ballistic training products. Pricing is negotiated on a project basis for defence customers and unit-priced for training products. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales driven by long-standing relationships with ADF capability and sustainment groups, the SASR development cell, and Army's Diggerworks programme, supplemented by prime contractor subcontracting and selective export sales to South East Asian and Oceania markets.

In April 2026, Mehler Systems signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in CIB, with the Queensland facility to serve as Mehler's Southern Hemisphere production and innovation hub, pending FIRB approval. CIB is led by CEO James Craig and operates with 11-50 employees.

Name

Craig International Ballistics

Legal name

Craig International Ballistics Pty Ltd

Website

https://ballistics.com.au/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Craig International Ballistics is Australia's largest armour manufacturer, producing composite ballistic protection systems — body armour, aircraft, naval, and transparent armour — primarily for the Australian Defence Force and law enforcement, with pending majority acquisition by Germany's Mehler Systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defence Ballistic Protection Manufacturing

NAICS

Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing (332994)

SIC

Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)

akta.pro primary industry

Armor Systems (Passive/Reactive/Active Protection) & Survivability Kits (IMABAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Protective & Work Accessories Manufacturing (Safety Gloves/Hi-Vis Accessories) (IMAOAFAH)

Keywords

• Ballistic protection systems
• Body armour manufacturing
• Ballistic plates
• Transparent armour
• Survivability solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Helensvale

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Defence Contracts: Major government contracts for supply of body armour, ballistic plates, and platform armour to the Australian Defence Force. Contracts include the landmark $30 million ADF Soldier Body Armour contract (2024) and the AUD 60 million LAND 125 Phase 3B Protection Elements contract (2014). Revenue is project-based with multi-year delivery schedules.
2. Prime Contractor Subcontracts: Subcontract work as a tier-2 supplier to prime defence contractors. Currently supplying transparent armour and wiper systems for BAE Systems Australia's Hunter Class Frigate program.
3. Law Enforcement and Security Sales: Direct sales of body armour, tactical shields, and ballistic protection equipment to police forces and security companies domestically and internationally.
4. Transparent Armour Distribution: Exclusive distribution of AGP bullet resistant glass for automotive, architectural, marine, military and security applications in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Craig International Ballistics designs, manufactures, and supplies composite ballistic protection systems for defence, military, police, and security customers. The product portfolio spans personal protection (ballistic plates, concealable body armour, tactical body armour, personal shields, training armour), survivability solutions (aircraft, naval, and specialised armour panels for vehicles, vessels, and structures), and transparent armour (bullet resistant glass). All products are tested to NIJ, STANAG, and AS/NZS ballistic standards by NATA-accredited laboratories. The company also offers body armour inspection, refurbishment, and re-certification services.

Product overview

Craig International Ballistics is Australia's leading manufacturer of combat-proven ballistic protection systems with a comprehensive portfolio spanning personal protection, survivability solutions, and transparent armour. The product line is organized into three main categories: (1) Personal Protection including ballistic plates (CIB03-CIB29 series), concealable body armour (AV19-V2), overt and tactical body armour (AV26-V2, NRAC, ERAC series), personal shields (CIB-BSS-41, CIB-SH-01, CIB-SH-02), and training body armour; (2) Survivability Solutions including aircraft armour for rotary and fixed-wing platforms, naval armour for maritime vessels, and specialised armour panels for multi-platform applications; and (3) Transparent Armour for vehicles and structural applications. The company also provides complementary services including non-destructive testing and body armour refurbishment. All products comply with international ballistic standards including NIJ, STANAG 4569, and AS/NZS 2343. The company operates as part of Mehler Systems following acquisition, with Queensland serving as the primary production hub.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ballistic Plates NIJ ballistic standards compliant body armour plates constructed from Honeywell SpectraShield Composite, Silicon Carbide, and Kevlar. Available in various models (CIB03, CIB18, CIB26, CIB28, CIB29) offering protection against different threat levels from IIIA to IV. For military, police, and security personnel.
• Concealable Body Armour (AV19-V2 Series) Covert body armour worn under normal clothing for surprise protection. Features cotton garment cover with ballistic insert. NIJ Level IIIA certified (Model CIB-XP-IIIA-B) weighing approximately 2.0kg. Designed for law enforcement and security personnel requiring concealed protection.
• Overt and Tactical Body Armour External body armour for high-threat situations. Includes AV26-V2 series (lightweight overt), NRAC series (1000D Cordura tactical with MOLLE webbing), and ERAC series (emergency releasable). Suitable for police, military, and security operations.
• Personal Shields Lightweight ballistic shields for law enforcement and military personnel. Models include CIB-BSS-41 (handheld, 8.9-13.8kg), CIB-SH-01 (trolley-based composite, 37kg, Level IV), and CIB-SH-02 (largest handheld, 19.5kg, Level III+).
• Training Body Armour Non-ballistic training plates and body armour elements for military and law enforcement training. Includes plastic training plates (2.5kg), laser-cut steel weight plates (3.3kg and 4.4kg) with Polyurea Rhino Linings coating. Compatible with 5.11 Tac Vest and Medium ESAPI comparable vests.
• Aircraft Armour Ballistic protection panels for rotary and fixed wing civil, military and law enforcement aircraft. Airframe approved products compliant with NIJ standards and STANAG 4569. Uses lightweight materials including Boron Carbide, Dyneema, Kevlar, Silicon Carbide, and Spectra Shield. Includes CH-47F removable ballistic protection for ADF.
• Naval Armour Lightweight marine ballistic protection panels for border patrol vessels and Navy frigates. Incorporates materials including Boron Carbide, Dyneema, Kevlar, Silicon Carbide, and Spectra Shield. Panels available up to 2.4m x 1.6m. Includes positive buoyancy properties for amphibious applications.
• Specialised Armour Panels Custom armour panels for buildings, vehicles, portable shipping containers, marine vessels, and aircraft. Can be manufactured in various sizes and waterjet cut to customer specifications. Options include ceramic materials (Aluminum Oxide, Silicon Carbide, Boron Carbide) and UHMWPE materials (Spectra Shield, Tensylon, Dyneema).
• Transparent Armour (Bullet Resistant Glass) Bullet resistant glass for vehicles, financial institutions, government buildings, and naval vessels. Available in curved and flat solutions. Certified for STANAG 4569 ballistic standards. Exclusive distributor of AGP bullet resistant glass in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea for automotive, architectural, marine, military and security applications.
• Non-Destructive Testing Services Non-destructive testing (NDT) on ceramic-based body armour plates using advanced robotic x-ray equipment. Enables inspection throughout service life ensuring ballistic integrity. Supports refurbishment and re-certification of in-service body armour returning items to as-new state at reduced cost.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 600,000 Queensland-made body armour components delivered to ADF with zero safety compromises
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• BAE Systems AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIB was awarded a contract to supply transparent armour and wiper systems for the Australian-built Hunter Class Frigates. This positions CIB as a key supplier within BAE Systems' naval shipbuilding programme, announced at Indo Pacific 2023.
• AGP (American Glass Products)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCraig International Ballistics is the exclusive distributor of AGP bullet resistant glass for automotive, architectural, marine, military and security applications in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. AGP is the world's leading manufacturer of bullet resistant glass.
• DuPontstrategicTechnology or IntegrationDuPont is a key materials partner providing Kevlar XP fibres used in CIB's body armour products. CIB has worked closely with DuPont for over 12 months of product development, resulting in world-first deployment of new Kevlar materials in Australian military body armour.
• HoneywellstrategicTechnology or IntegrationHoneywell provides Spectra Shield and Spectra fibre materials used in CIB's ballistic plates and shields. CIB has maintained strong collaboration with Honeywell alongside DuPont for advanced materials development.
• Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) Development CellstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIB maintains close working relationships with the SASR development cell, co-developing advanced protection solutions based on operational requirements and feedback.
• Australian Army DiggerworksstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIB works closely with Army's Diggerworks programme for development and rapid fielding of new protection capabilities, enabling quick adoption of new materials and production techniques.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Point Blank Enterprises: US-based manufacturer of body armour and ballistic protective systems for military, law enforcement and federal agencies. Directly competes in the same product categories (ballistic plates, concealable and tactical vests, shields) as Craig International Ballistics with comparable NIJ-certified offerings.
• Revision Military: North American soldier protection company producing ballistic eyewear, head protection, and tactical armour. Comparable as a focused survivability-solutions vendor serving military and law enforcement, though smaller in scale than CIB's platform armour footprint.
• Mehler Systems: German manufacturer of ballistic body armour and platform protection systems for military and law enforcement. Directly comparable product portfolio (soft and hard ballistic protection, platform armour) and is the acquirer of Craig International Ballistics, making it the closest peer and now parent.
• Avon Protection: UK-listed provider of respiratory and ballistic protection solutions for defence, law enforcement and first responders. Directly comparable product overlap in body armour and personal protection systems for military and tactical end users.
• Safariland (Armor Holdings / The Safariland Group): Major US producer of body armour, tactical shields and survivability products for defence and law enforcement. Comparable product range to CIB across concealable vests, tactical armour, and ballistic shields, and serves overlapping customer segments (military, police, federal agencies).
• KDH Defense Systems: US manufacturer of soft body armour, ballistic helmets and tactical load-carriage equipment. Closely comparable as a focused mid-sized body armour specialist selling NIJ-certified products into defence and law enforcement channels.

Emerging players

• MKU Limited: Indian manufacturer of ballistic protection products (body armour, helmets, vehicle armour) exporting globally. Comparable product portfolio and customer overlap (military, police) but typically competes on price in emerging markets rather than the premium Australian/European defence segment CIB serves.

Broad incumbents

• BAE Systems Australia: Australian operations of BAE Systems and prime contractor on the Hunter Class Frigate program for which CIB is a tier-2 supplier. Overlaps in survivability and platform protection as part of a much broader naval and aerospace portfolio; serves as both customer and adjacent market participant.
• Rheinmetall: German defence prime with significant armoured vehicle and soldier systems businesses. Overlaps with CIB in platform armour (vehicle and aircraft survivability) and pursues Australian defence industrial partnerships, representing both a peer and potential competitor in ADF tenders.
• 3M (formerly Ceradyne): Diversified industrial conglomerate whose Ceradyne subsidiary produces ceramic ballistic plates and body armour materials. Comparable in ceramic body armour technology and NIJ-certified products, but as part of a much larger portfolio rather than a dedicated armour specialist.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/craig-international-ballistics

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Craig International Ballistics