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As the government and Rheinmetall work towards finalising contracts for the LAND 400 Phase 2 project, Defence is now seeking input from Australian industry on the proposed tender timeline for LAND 400 Phase 3, which will see the Army acquire new infantry fighting vehicles.
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The acquisition of mounted close combat vehicle capability through the LAND 400 Phase 3 tender will be one of Army’s largest purchases.
Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne said consulting on the draft timeline would allow for a smoother and better informed tender process, reducing the cost of tendering to industry.
"Just as with the Phase 2 combat reconnaissance vehicles, Australian industry involvement and Australian workers will be critically important to this project," Minister Pyne said.
"This project is another exciting opportunity for Australian industry to deliver leading-edge technology in support of the Army."
Minister for Defence Marise Payne said the government was committed to investing in advanced vehicles that are better equipped to meet the range of current and emerging threats, which are becoming more lethal and sophisticated.
"This multibillion-dollar project will replace Army’s M113 armoured personnel carriers with a fleet of up to 450 modern infantry fighting vehicles and 17 manoeuvre support vehicles," Minister Payne said.
"These will provide new levels of protection, firepower, mobility and enhanced communications. The new vehicles are expected to enter into service by the mid-2020s.
"The proposed tender timeline identifies key milestones in the tender evaluation. We welcome industry’s feedback on the timeline to better enable both industry and defence to plan for this significant boost to capability.”
The government provided first pass approval for LAND 400 Phase 3 on 13 March 2018 to acquire the infantry fighting vehicle and manoeuvre support vehicle capabilities.
Rheinmetall, which secured the LAND 400 Phase 2 project earlier this year and will build over 100 combat reconnaissance vehicles in Queensland, recently unveiled its Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle, which it will offer for the LAND 400 Phase 3 project.
The opportunity to review and comment on the timeline will remain available until Monday, 9 July 2018 and can be viewed here.
