The Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert MP, together with South Australian Senator David Fawcett spent the afternoon speaking to local business and community leaders about Army’s LAND 400 Combat Vehicle program at the historic Adelaide Oval.
“The LAND 400 program is the Australian Army’s largest, most expensive and most complex combat vehicle program and will provide Army with an essential capability for future land operations,” Mr Robert said.
“I am very pleased to be in Adelaide with David to talk to over 140 local leaders, industry representatives and Defence SA about Army’s LAND 400 Combat Vehicle program and the significant opportunities it could bring to South Australia.”
LAND 400 will allow for the retirement of Australia’s current armoured vehicles including the Australian-Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAV) and the armoured personnel carriers (M113-AS4) in line with their expected Life of Type, as well as providing new armoured manoeuvre support vehicles.
These new vehicles will provide the Army with precision firepower capabilities while providing high levels of survivability and tactical mobility.
Senator Fawcett said it was an important visit by Minister Robert as South Australia continues to campaign for the multi-billion-dollar contract for the next-generation of Army combat vehicles.
“Today’s visit by the Assistant Minister for Defence included a briefing to local industry and community leaders on the LAND 400 program to reinforce the importance South Australia places on this key Army project,” Mr Fawcett said.
“While a decision on the awarding of contracts is a number of years away, South Australia is a key provider to Australia’s defence industry and is working hard to look at opportunities where we can assist with Army’s multi-billion dollar project.”
Mr Roberts said he was working to ensure Australian industry opportunities were maximised under this important project.
“The Australian Government is committed to working with defence industry to build a strong, capable and sustainable Australian Defence Force,” Mr Robert said.