The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has commenced air transportability trials of armoured fighting vehicles, under the Land 400 Phase II project.
The contenders for the programme, BAE Systems Australia Patria AMV35 and the Rheinmetall Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle (CRV), will be tested using C-17 aircraft at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base in Fairbairn.
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The C-17 air transportability trials are being conducted as part of the Risk Mitigation Activity (RMA), which is a 12-month test and evaluation programme to reduce risk to both the Commonwealth and industry in the acquisition and sustainment of these vehicles.
Australia Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said: “Significant effort has gone into increasing opportunities for Australian companies to be a part of LAND 400 Phase II.
“Defence completed a nationwide series of workshops late last year to provide Australian companies with an opportunity to showcase their capabilities to the shortlisted LAND 400 Phase II tenderers.”
“Projects like LAND 400 Phase II give us the opportunity to modernise our defence capability while we keep jobs in Australia and boost domestic manufacturing.”
Nearly $5bn worth LAND 400 Phase II project focuses on purchasing 225 CRVs to replace the light armoured vehicles currently in service with the Australian Army.
Under the project, the Australian Army will receive armoured fighting vehicles with improved firepower, protection, mobility and communication characteristics.
Image: Contenders for the programme are BAE Systems Australia Patria AMV35 (left) and Rheinmetall Boxer CRV. Photo: courtesy of Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence.
