30 October 2014

Industry: THALES AND QUICKSTEP TEAM UP ON HAWKEI


Thales Australia’s innovative engineering might be the first thing people notice about its Hawkei vehicle, but the company’s pioneering approach to the supply chain is also attracting attention, with Quickstep the latest Australian company to team with Thales.

“Like Thales, Quickstep is recognised for innovation and cutting-edge research,” said Kevin Wall, Thales Australia’s Vice President Protected Vehicles.

“Quickstep’s record on projects such as the Joint Strike Fighter and Lamborghini performance cars is testament to their unique skills. It’s great to see Australian companies teaming up to deliver the next generation of protected light vehicles to the Australian Defence Force.”

Thales Australia is working closely with specialist suppliers at every stage to refine and enhance the design of the vehicle’s components. This enables the company to identify savings and maximise performance advantages, resulting in a better product for the ADF.

A specialist in advanced composites, Quickstep has been awarded a pre-contract to use its patented systems to deliver strong, light and high-quality components ideally suited to the Hawkei’s tough operational requirements. Quickstep will supply the vehicle’s bonnet, side skirts and mud guards.

The work, which would be carried out at Quickstep’s Bankstown facility in NSW, is conditional on Thales securing a long-term contract to supply up to 1,300 Hawkei vehicles to the Department of Defence. Final approval of the LAND 121 Phase 4 project is expected around 2015.