Defence has engaged Brisbane-based L3 Micreo to manage the production, manufacture and delivery of more than 14,000 additional Silvershield units to the Afghanistan National Defense and Security Forces.
Silvershield is a vehicle-mounted force protection system produced by Defence under the Redwing program. The system provides protection against radio controlled improvised explosive devices.
Minister for Defence Industry Linda Reynolds announced the contract at L3 Micreo in Brisbane and said the capability would make a real difference to the lives of Afghan partners.
“The Redwing Program is part of Australia’s broader commitment to Afghanistan’s long-term security and development,” Minister Reynolds said.
An initial 16,000 Silvershield units were delivered to Afghanistan throughout 2018. Major sub-system components for Silvershield are provided by Australian suppliers Axiom Precision Manufacturing, SRX Global (Australia), ZCG Scalar and Lintek.
On delivery of this latest order, Australian industry and Defence will have produced and exported over 226,000 individual and vehicle mounted Redwing systems, with an export value of over $109 million, since 2015.
“We continue to be extremely proud to produce these life-saving force protection systems for Defence to help address the persistent and evolving threat of IEDs in Afghanistan,” L3 Micreo Managing Director Sarah Earey said.
Dr Andrew Piotrowski from Defence Science and Technology was awarded the 2018 Minister’s Award for Achievement in Defence Science for developing the Redwing devices.