A new Armoured Vehicle Division will been created to consolidate large programs like LAND 400, LAND 907 – Main Battle Tank Replacement and LAND 8160 – Enhanced Gap Crossing Capability into a programmatic ‘mega project’.

When fully delivered, the LAND 400 program will allow Army to successfully sustain mounted close combat operations against emerging and future threats as part of a joint force.

Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne encouraged Australian industry to get behind the project, saying, "I actively encourage Australian small and medium sized enterprises to take advantage of the significant opportunities arising from this project."

Opportunities for industry to participate in the process are outlined in the tender documents and include industry briefing sessions scheduled for September this year. 

Assistance to industry is available through the Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC) for Australian businesses entering or working in the defence industry.

Minister Pyne indicated that during this tender process, Defence will work closely with industry to optimise Australian industry capability content.

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"This project is another exciting opportunity for Australian industry to deliver leading-edge technology in support of the Army," he said.

Minister for Defence Marise Payne said the project will see Army’s capability significantly enhanced with a fleet of up to 450 modern Infantry Fighting Vehicles and 17 Manoeuvre Support Vehicles. 

"This will be the largest investment in Army’s capability ever undertaken and will provide our troops with a modern close combat capability," Minister Payne said.

This announcement follows a fortnight of announcements made by government and industry regarding LAND 400 Phase 2, with the announcement of the joint venture between Varley and Rafael and the confirmation of the Spike LR2 Anti-Tank Guided Missile for Army's future 211 Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles as part of the $5.2 billion project. 

The LAND 400 program is broken down into four distinct phases: 

• LAND 400 Phase 1 – Project Definition Study (completed);
• LAND 400 Phase 2 – Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability, primarily enabled by the combat reconnaissance vehicle (CRV) mission system (the ASLAV replacement);
• LAND 400 Phase 3 – Mounted Close Combat Capability, primarily enabled by the Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) (the M113 APC replacement) and MSV mission systems; and
• LAND 400 Phase 4 – Integrated Training System.

Rheinmetall has been selected to deliver Australia’s new Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle, the Boxer 8x8 CRV, for LAND 400 Phase 2.

The full tender can now be downloaded from the AusTender website at www.tenders.gov.au. Submissions will close at 5:00pm AEST on Friday, 1 March 2019.

Stephen Kuper

Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.