Budget 2010: Land 121 Phase 4 MSA funding approved | ADM Jun 2010
Australian manufacturers will be given a chance to win a contract worth more than $1 billion for the manufacture of the next generation of protected mobility vehicles, Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Materiel and Science has announced.
"Three Australian based companies will be awarded up to $9 million each for the development of protected mobility vehicle prototypes, putting them in the running to land a manufacturing contract for up to 1,300 vehicles," Combet said in an announcement on May 26.
"I am happy to announce that Thales Australia, Force Protection Europe and General Dynamics Land Systems Australia are the three companies who will be given a shot at this important contract.
"This decision means that these companies now have a chance of competing against prototypes being developed in the US that are also in the running for the contract."
The three companies would be given around six months to produce two test drive ready prototype vehicles each.
The announcement follows a decision by the Government in 2008 to participate in the current US Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program which is also working on the development of protected mobility vehicle prototypes.
"This announcement means that there will be greater competition for this very important contract - an outcome that can only lead to better vehicles and capability for the Australian Defence Force," Combet said.
"The protected mobility vehicles will play an important role in keeping Australian troops safe in combat roles, including command, liaison and light battlefield resupply.
"They will be provided to the Army's combat units and Air Force's Air Field Defence Guards and will be designed to operate in future conflict environments."
Thales Australia has facilities in Bendigo, Victoria. General Dynamics Land Systems Australia has facilities in the suburbs of Adelaide in South Australia while Force Protection is still looking at options for their Australian presence.
Each of the contenders have presented their options as:
* Thales Australia Hawkei - an evolution of the successful Bushmaster series of vehicles.
The offering is supported by Boeing, Millenworks, Plasan Sasa and PAC Group.
* GDLSA Eagle V - based on their in service Eagle V platform, the updated Eagle offering for Phase 4 Manufactured and Supported in Australia is still in the process of gathering their local forces.
* Force Protection Ocelot - The Ocelot is in the final phases of testing for the UK's Light Protected Patrol Vehicle competition.
Representatives from the company have been in Australia over the last few months to gauge local industry support options.
Both GDSLA and Force Protection are marshalling their forces to examine the options available to them in country to fulfil the 50 per cent manufactured and supported in Australia requirements set forth by the Commonwealth.
The Australian project office is still very much involved with the US JLTV with more people headed over
for the next round of testing.
JLTV variants, with Australian specific changes such as right hand drive, are due out in Australia later this year as part of the wider testing program.
The previous month also saw an RFI released for the long anticipated Land 400 project, with responses due back to Defence on June 23.
ASLAVS upgrade passed
Katherine Ziesing | Canberra
The Government has given second pass approval for the upgrade of the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) under project Land 112 Phase 4 - ASLAV Enhancement.
The ASLAV has been deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations since 2004, and is now in use in Afghanistan.
The ASLAV provides Australian forces in Afghanistan with mobility, firepower and protection, enabling our troops to conduct search and escort operations and provide support to close combat operations.
"These enhancements, which have a total project cost of $302.8 million, will result in our ASLAV fleet being up-armoured to provide greater protection to cater for difficult and dangerous environments such as those in Afghanistan," Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, said when making the announcement this month.
"The upgrade will ensure the ASLAV fleet provides the highest possible combat protection and capability in the future."
The enhancements will provide increased protection against a wider range of threats - including Improvised Explosive Devices - by improving ballistic, fragmentation and blast protection.
The project will also see improvements to the vehicle's suspension, driveline and engine, ensuring the ASLAV remains a highly capable and versatile light armoured vehicle for the duration of its service with the ADF.
The project plans to deliver 113 upgraded vehicles, commencing by April 2012.
Defence is also investigating options for significantly expediting the schedule for the upgrade.
There will be a range of opportunities for Australian Industry to be involved in the installation and support of the upgrade.
These include pre-modification and refurbishment work, suspension and drivetrain upgrades, installation of upgrade kits, and the redesign and manufacturing of mine blast belly plates, to be carried out by General Dynamics Land Systems - Australia, located in Pooraka, South Australia.
The announcement comes in the wake of an announcement in May that General Dynamics Land Systems Australia (GDSLA) was the preferred tenderer for the contract to support the ADF's fleet of Abrams tanks, ASLAVs and Hercules.
GDLSA has proposed a five-year deal for the sustainment of armoured fighting vehicles with greater efficiencies for the Australian Army.
The value of the contract is likely to be in excess of $100 million over the five-year period.
"What GDLSA has proposed is a performance-based deal with greater incentives for improved efficiencies and performance," Minister for Defence Materiel Greg Combet said.
"Under this proposal GDLSA could be rewarded for good performance with an extension to the life of the contract."
APA buys ATO (not the tax dept)
Katherine Ziesing | Canberra
Asia Pacific Aerospace (APA) has acquired Victorian based Aviation Turbine Overhaul (ATO) as part of their strategy to increase support for small to medium gas turbines engines.
ATO is a small to medium gas turbine overhaul and rework facility located at Moorabbin Airport in Victoria.
Steve Mason, APA Chief Executive announced that "the acquisition will advance the strategic interests of APA within the Australian and Asia Pacific regions".
ATO provides a full range of aviation and non-aviation machining, welding and metal spraying as well as the repair, testing and overhaul of the Rolls Royce 250 series engine fuel accessories and components.
"With this acquisition, we will expand our current engine support in the region and gain accreditation as a Rolls Royce Authorized Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Center (AMROC)," Mason said.
Based in Pinkenba, adjacent to the Brisbane International Airport, APA specialises in military and commercial gas turbine engine repair and overhaul.
The company is a Rolls Royce Authorized Maintenance Center providing support to commercial and military operators of the Rolls Royce 250 Series powered aircraft, Honeywell LTS-101 and the Australian Defence Force operated GE T700 engines.