A major infrastructure services provider has secured a deal to upgrade the ADF’s fleet of engineering vehicles.
The Morrison government has awarded a $158 million contract to Ventia, which has been tasked with upgrading the Australian Defence Force's existing fleet of engineering vehicles, delivering an additional 291 vehicles.
The vehicles include cranes, excavators, bulldozers, loaders, telehandlers, forklifts, graders and rollers.
The acquisition and sustainment of the Engineer Support Platforms is expected to generate 23 new jobs nationwide, while supporting the continuing employment of an additional 65 Australian workers.
The contract is expected to involve local networks and distributors for the supply of the vehicles.
“I’m so proud of the positive impacts that our $270 billion investment in Australia’s defence capability is bringing to Australian industry,” Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said.
“This contract is a clear example of the enormous benefits flowing through to small and medium businesses from our investments.
“Australian industry will contribute to the project management, systems engineering, modification, technical documentation, logistics and training elements of the project.”
Minister Price added that the contract would provide critical force enabling functions to the ADF.
“The vehicles will be used for a range of projects, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and to support amphibious operations,” she said.
“This includes construction, demolition, development of protective earthworks, route development and maintenance, airfield and port construction and repair, port operations and supply and distribution.”
[Related: Deakin University wins Defence contract]
Charbel Kadib
News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media
Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.
