• Credit: General Dynamics
    Credit: General Dynamics
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General Dynamics Land Systems Australia (GDLSA) has announced it will increase its local footprint to support major Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) programs for the ADF.

“General Dynamics recognises the importance that the Commonwealth of Australia has placed on Australian subsidiaries of large multi-national companies providing autonomous, sovereign capabilities, whilst leveraging the strengths of their parent companies, for important ADF equipment programs,” Kevin Connell, Vice President and General Manager of GDLSA, said.

GDLSA has committed to creating an AFV Centre of Excellence in support of its Land 400 Phase 3 tender. This is closely based on the existing model established for the UK’s AJAX program. According to the company, it will, through the establishment of local manufacturing, integration and test, supply chain management, software development, systems integration and research and development, create in excess of 1,000 direct jobs.

“With our plans for increasing the General Dynamics Land Systems presence in Australia supporting the major AFV programs, we will further develop our capability and capacity to manage the elements of Sovereign Industrial Capability that are required," Connell added.

"GDLSA will support the Commonwealth’s Sovereign Industrial Capability requirements for designing, developing, manufacturing and integrating new systems and equipment in Australia, teaming with local companies, including small-and-medium-sized businesses, to deliver an indigenous capability to maintain a lethal, relevant and effective AFV capability for the decades ahead.”

GDLSA, General Dynamics Mediaware, and Hawker Pacific are all Australian companies, owned by General Dynamics Corporation, with significant operations in Australia currently employing more than 600 people.

General Dynamics’ business units - including Land Systems, Ordnance and Tactical Systems, European Land Systems, Electric Boat, Bath Iron Works, Mission Systems, Information Systems, Gulfstream and Jet Aviation - have all had a recent presence in Australia. Several of these business units are expanding their local footprint on the back of increased commercial and defence business.

These businesses have supported defence projects including Abrams Main Battle Tanks, ASLAV armoured reconnaissance vehicles, Air Warfare Destroyers, the Collins Class submarines, and aircraft supply and sustainment.

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