As always, the pre-Christmas flurry of project approvals has not failed to disappoint. From Chinooks to vehicles, the government has taken the chance to clear the decks before beginning 2012.

The next stage of Project Land 125 Ph.3C has got under way with approval for an $8 million investment in an upgraded Austeyr rifle design.

A program to upgrade Bushmaster vehicles with better protection against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) has been completed.

Thanks to a discovery while researching synthetic aperture radar, detecting improvised explosive devices will now be easier according to a group of US Navy scientists.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare has announced upgrades worth a million dollars to combat helmets worn by soldiers in Afghanistan which includes new padding and harnesses.

A third Australian Police Force has requested an opportunity to trial the Metal Storm MAUL 12-gauge weapon system following an announcement that two other Forces had committed to trial the new weapon.

Reports indicate that Defence is seeking urgent requirement approval for the purchase of mine detecting vehicles under JP 154 Phase 3 for use in Afghanistan to counter roadside IEDs.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare last week announced that four Bushmaster ambulances have been delivered to the Air Force Health Services Wing at RAAF Base Amberley.

The Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare has announced the next stage of the project to update the Austeyr rifle used by Australian soldiers.

The first truck mounted 105-millimetre howitzer was revealed to the media for the first time on September 22 at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, Seoul.

Supacat announced yesterday the operational launch of Supacat in Australia and the launch of Supacat Team Australia, to bid, build and deliver the JP2097 Ph 1B (REDFIN) program.

The US Army and Marine Corps have agreed on a new set of base requirements for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, in an effort to shield the program from lawmakers seeking to terminate it.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced that Bushmaster vehicles in Afghanistan have been upgraded to provide soldiers with better protection against Improvised Explosive Devices.

Inside Defense reports that following a move by Senate appropriators to kill the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program, the US Army and the Marine Corps are readying a new acquisition strategy.

According to Inside Defense a move by Senate appropriators to kill the JLTV program last week added urgency and tension to the proposed effort to recapitalise the Army and Marine Corps fleet of Humvees.

Sweden's FMV has ordered 60 protected weapon stations from Australian firm W & E Platt to provide firepower and protection to its fleet of vehicle gunners.