The Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, and Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare have announced that the Government has approved four major Defence capability projects.
They are:
• New Training Vehicles (Project Land
121 Phase 5A)
The Government has approved the acquisition of over 950 new ‘G-Wagon’
four wheel drive vehicles from Mercedes Benz Australia Pacific Pty Ltd,
together with around 200 modules and 830 trailers. The modules will be
manufactured and integrated onto the vehicles by G. H. Varley Pty Ltd in NSW
and the trailers will be sourced from Queensland-based Haulmark Trailers (Australia).
This approval is subject to successful negotiations with the respective
companies. The approved value is around $425 million. The Australian industry component
is worth more than $100 million.
• Upgrade of the Standard Missile-2 (SEA 4000 Phase 3.2)
The Australian Defence Force’s inventory of SM2 missiles
carried by the Adelaide Class frigates will be both upgraded and converted for
use by the Air Warfare Destroyers. The conversion of the missiles will allow them
to be used in the Air Warfare Destroyers and provide an enhanced anti-aircraft
and anti-ship missile defence capability. The SEA 4000 Phase 3.2 project is
valued at around $100 million and will be acquired under Foreign Military Sales
(FMS) arrangements with the United
States.
• Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile Upgrade (SEA 1352 Phase 1A)
The Government has given combined first and second pass
approval for a contribution to the international risk reduction study for the
Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM). The ESSM is currently fitted to the ANZAC Class
frigates and will be fitted to the Air Warfare Destroyers. This project will
upgrade the ESSM to ensure these ships can defend against aircraft and
anti-ship missile threats. This approval involves Australia contributing
approximately $20 million to NATO Sea Sparrow Project Office to conduct the
study to develop an upgraded ESSM. The totalcost of Project
SEA 1352 Phase 1 is cost
capped between $1 billion and $2 billion in the Public Defence Capability Plan.
• Enhanced Military Satellite Capability (Joint Project 2008
Phase 5B)
The Government agreed to first pass approval for Joint
Project 2008 Phase 5B – Enhanced Military Satellite Capability. This project
will deliver a comprehensive wideband satellite communications capability for
the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and will take advantage of Australia’s
investment in the US Wideband Global Satellite Communications system.
Phase 5B will include the delivery of transportable land
terminals to equip ADF elements, upgrades for the satellite communications fit
on Royal Australian Navy platforms and the establishment of a satellite communications
network management system. Funding of $12 million has been approved for first
pass to second pass work. This work includes project development and risk
mitigation studies including in relation to the potential upgrade of the
Geraldton ground station and a new ground station facility in Eastern
Australia. The total cost of Joint Project 2008 Phase 5B is cost
capped between $300 million and $500 million in the Public Defence Capability
Plan.