The Australian Government has formally issued a Request for Tender for Phase III of the Australian Army’s LAND 400 programme.
Also known as Mounted Close Combat Capability, the Phase III will include a multi-billion dollar project for the replacement of the Australian Army’s M113 armoured personnel carriers with a fleet of up to 450 modern infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and 17 manoeuvre support vehicles.
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Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne said: “This will be the largest investment in army’s capability ever undertaken and will provide our troops with a modern close-combat capability.
“The vehicles will be equipped with high levels of protection, firepower and mobility that will enable sustained operations, varying from peacekeeping to close combat.”
Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said the Australian Department of Defence will work in close collaboration with the industry during the tender process to optimise the Australian industry capability.
Pyne said: “This project is another exciting opportunity for the Australian industry to deliver leading-edge technology in support of the army.”
Once fully delivered, the LAND 400 programme will enable the Australian Army to sustain mounted close combat operations as part of a joint force against the growing threats.
Furthermore, a new Armoured Vehicle Division will be established to consolidate large programmes, such as LAND 400, LAND 907 – Main Battle Tank Replacement and LAND 8160 – Enhanced Gap Crossing Capability, into a programmatic ‘mega project’.
The 13t M113 armoured personnel carriers have a length and width of 8.27ft and 8.83ft respectively, and can travel at a speed of 61km per hour at a range of 298 miles.
