Astor Defence

Astor Defence stands tall as the favoured supplier of military packaging products for numerous enterprises in Europe’s aerospace and defence sector. The firm’s stature as a market leader in militaryspecific packaging manufacturing is unquestionable with a rich history of active involvement in the industry since World War II.
From humble beginnings as a small company catering to a niche packaging industry, Astor Defence has evolved into a high-volume production powerhouse, renowned for its exceptional ability to fulfil orders with short lead times. Its dedication to providing top-quality products and outstanding service has earned it a reputation as a trusted partner for delivering critical military packaging solutions. “Our knowledge is dedicated towards transportation of ammunition, various legalities regarding UN packaging certificates, and production of the packaging to ensure it’s compliant with different military specifications,” says Henry Turnbull, Head of Military Packaging at Astor Defence.

Turnbull and his team’s passion is deeply rooted in the company’s history, which is reflected in everything they do.

It designs, manufactures, and tests packaging, storage, and transit solutions for a diverse range of high-value military components, weapons, and explosives. Operating across a 200,000 square foot factory with five production lines and producing over 120,000 ammunition boxes every month, Astor Defence is a dependable ally for the military.

Expert in All Things Packaging

Industry-leading Mil-Spec- and Def-Stan-compliant packaging is provided for all ammunition, from small and medium calibre to tank rounds. In addition, it supplies containers for a range of bombs, military artillery shells, and custom-designed missiles. The supplied metal boxes or timber crates are UNtested and certified and assure the quality and safety of packaging, reducing the risk of damage, accidents, and incidents during road, rail, sea, or air transportation.

Also provided are the associated internal fitments and functions, making it a one-stop shop, saving clients the hassle of dealing with multiple suppliers. In addition, it offers NATO-approved pallet trays for efficiently palletising and transporting ammunition.

By addressing packaging requirements throughout supply chains—from production lines to frontlines—Astor Defence safeguards the integrity and reliability of the ammunition, ensuring it performs as intended. This holistic support streamlines supply chain operations and reduces the risks of bottlenecks, delays, damage, or lost inventory. To ensure strict compliance with Mil-Spec and Def-Stan, it follows a rigorous quality assurance process, providing customers with comprehensive inspection reports, material certificates, and certificates of conformity for each badge produced.
To ensure the highest level of quality and durability, each product undergoes a series of rigorous testing. It includes pull tests to verify the integrity of welds, salt fog corrosion testing to examine the zinc phosphate undercoats and powder coatings, and pressure tests to evaluate water ingress during transit. Products are also subjected to temperature elevation testing to ensure their integrity when exposed to hot environments.

Elaborating on this, Turnbull adds, “We provide customers with full data packs of test reports, along with material certificates and ensure the boxes address the required specifications, allowing for ammunition to be transported efficiently.”

To better align its products with a client’s specific operational requirements and improve performance in demanding scenarios, Astor Defence develops customised containers and packages.

Agile Production for Diverse Client Requirements

A rigorous approach is taken when working with clients seeking new ammunition products. Astor comprehensively understands their specific requirements, including the type of ammunition or system, as well as the weight and type of rounds to be packed. It then identifies the standards a client is attempting to achieve concerning expected life span, usability, refurbishment capability, and more. Also considered are factors like water ingress, IP rating, method of transportation, and proof of packaging testing. Based on these requirements, custom containers are designed, and UN certification secured. If the demand is for in-service containers, it produces them according to specified packaging data sheets and relevant military standards.

During the entire production process, regulatory compliances are strictly adhered to and finished articles undergo diverse testing.

Since military packaging in Europe has been historically based on timber, Astor Defence has adapted to changing market requirements and developed metal alternatives for available timber and cardboard designs.

“We recommend various containers, provide samples, and test fit their ammunition. If they’re happy with it, we then secure UN packaging certifications,” says Turnbull.

Delivering Beyond Expectations—A True Differentiator

Astor Defence has worked with industry behemoths like Rheinmetall [RHM : ETR], Orbital ATK, BAE Systems [BA : LON], and Nammo, delivering on time without compromising product quality and helping clients navigate changing market dynamics and remain competitive. A current challenge is the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which has triggered significant disruption across military industries and prompted a spike in demand for critical operational units.

With an extensive inventory of stocks in the UK, Astor Defence has established itself as the only go-to supplier for military packaging solutions, delivering to clients with unprecedented lead times. In the face of emerging challenges, its astute decision-making capabilities and efficient delivery of solutions set it apart as a key player in Europe’s military industry.
Due to this agile production capability, Astor Defence produced over 300,000 ammunition containers within four weeks and supplied them to its clients. Its packaging is also used by British Armed forces and nearly every NATO force and agency.

With the military and geopolitical landscapes in constant flux, Astor Defence recognises the significance of adapting to emerging client requirements and staying on par with the latest technological advancements. To cater to these dynamics, it is constantly investing in new production equipment and automation systems and leveraging the latest technologies to elevate the usability of its products. Its new investment will enable it to set new benchmarks of quality within the defence industry and potentially revolutionise how global leaders approach packaging for military applications.