News Review: $35 million Monegeeta upgrade complete | ADM Feb 2011

Minister for defence materiel Jason Clare officially opened the $35 million expansion of the Monegeeta Proving Ground Complex in November.

“The latest equipment to be used by Australian troops in battle will be put to the test here at these new facilities,” Clare said.

“This is all about making sure our troops have the right equipment to do their job.

"The equipment our troops rely on in battle can be their lifeline.

"It needs to be battle-ready and safe.

“That’s why we need to test it thoroughly before we put it in their hands.”

The Monegeetta Proving Ground Complex consolidates Defence’s two existing test facilities, one at Maryibyrnong and the existing facilities at Monegeeta, into one state-of-the-art precinct.

The expanded Monegeeta complex includes new hot and cold weather testing chambers, a new enclosed weapons facility and a bigger heavy vibration testing facility.

The expanded complex tests equipment and vehicles under the same kind of conditions the ADF faces on operations.

That includes rugged terrain, extreme weather and night time operations.

In 2010 the complex will be used to test two of the US JLTV contenders, by General Tactical Vehicles and BAE Systems; in late-February this year the three Manufactured & Supported in Australia (MSA) contenders will also start their own test program at Monegeeta.