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European arms manufacturer MBDA and Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems have each teamed up with an Australian company in their bids to provide missiles and missile systems for the LAND 400 Phase 2 project.
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MBDA has chosen Queensland's Ferra Engineering while Rafael has partnered with NSW' Varley Australia in hopes of providing their products to the winning bidder of the LAND 400 Phase 2 project.
Under the new partnerships, Varley Australia will create a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Australia, which will provide production and support of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' new, fifth generation Spike LR2 anti-tank guided missile. Varley and Rafael's facility will become the first to manufacture the Spike LR2 outside of Israel.
Up in Queensland, Ferra Engineering and MBDA signed a memorandum of understanding in support of the Australian Industry Content (AIC) proposal for the LAND 400 project.
MBDA Australia's managing director Andy Watson said its missile system solution, MMP, for LAND 400 offers a true fifth generation capability and a low risk solution for Australia.
"Our product for LAND 400, MMP, is the only fifth generation anti-tank guided weapon in production," Watson said.
"MMP is the most advanced and lowest risk missile solution for LAND 400 Phase 2 and we are delighted to partner with Ferra Engineering to help bring MMP's technological and strategic benefits to Australia."
Watson is hopeful the MMP will be the first missile to be built and further developed in Australia, as part of the government's calls for increased AIC in defence projects.
"MBDA's approach to Australian industrial content is based on two principles: ensuring the Commonwealth has the highest level of operational independence and sovereignty in its use of the missile and generating real opportunities for Australian industry," said Watson.
"Our vision is for MMP to become the first missile that is built, maintained and evolved in Australia."
