Australia officially opens up tender for next-generation light armoured vehicle

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Defence & Security News - Australia
 
Australia officially opens up tender for next-generation light armoured vehicle
The Australian Defense Ministry officially opened tender for the replacement of its ageing Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAV). Defence Minister Kevin Andrews made the announcement at the Puckapunyal military base south of Seymour. On his first visit to the complex since becoming Defence Minister, Mr Andrews promised that locally sourced content will be made “part of the criteria in the selection process”.
     
Australia officially opens up tender for next generation light armoured vehicle 640 001Australian Army's ASLAV-25 Light Armored Vehicle
     
Australia’s military is planning to replace many of its armored vehicles, some of which date back to the Vietnam War, and has invited proposals for a new-style combat-reconnaissance truck and new armored troop transports for its so-called Land 400 project. 

Tender applicants will have to prove the ability to produce 225 armoured vehicles capable of carrying up to 35 tonnes as part of Army Land 400 project. Total amount of this procurement tender is valued at US$8 bn.

Australia’s current fleet of light armored vehicles will reach the end of its life by around 2021, Defense Minister Kevin Andrews said in a statement Thursday.


“The government is committed to replacing and enhancing the army’s fleet of combat vehicles and other land force capabilities to best protect our soldiers,” Mr. Andrews said.

American defense giants such as Boeing and General Dynamics are expected to vie for the Australian contract with Lockheed Martin, along with France’s Thales, Britain’s BAE and Germany’s Rheinmetall AG .

The current phase of the Land 400 project will focus on replacing the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (or ASLAV), whereas the yet-to-be-approved third phase will replaced the army’s outdated armoured personnel carriers.

“Armoured vehicles have sat of the heart of the way we operate” said Chief of Army Lt-Gen David Morrison. “The ASLAVs are our most versatile vehicle, but at the moment it doesn’t have the blast protection to survive in the modern battlespace.”

The current 253 ASLAV vehicules came into operation in 1994.