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Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price have welcomed the initial operating capability for the ADF’s $5 billion next-generation logistic vehicle fleet.
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Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price welcomed the delivery under Project Overlander LAND 121 Phase 3B and Phase 5B – 3,751 vehicles, 4,730 modules and 2,565 trailers in total will be delivered across the ADF.
Minister Reynolds said this investment will realise the potential of the nation’s well-trained and highly capable soldiers.
“These new medium, heavy and semi-trailer vehicles replace a fleet that is more than 30 years old with a next-generation vehicle and specialist modules. They will be used for a range of military deployments, from resupplying combat operations to supporting Defence’s assistance to Australian and regional communities after natural disasters,” Minister Reynolds said.
Already, the new fleet has provided enhanced support for a range of Defence operations in Australia, including the response to the Townsville floods and Defence’s ongoing contributions to Operation Bushfire Assist.
The fleet has also supported our Pacific neighbours, for both security operations and partnered exercises.
Minister Price said the success of Project Overlander would not have been possible without partnering with Rheinmetall and Haulmark Trailers Australia, together with their extensive network of Australian industry partners including Varley in Newcastle, Holmwood Highgate in Brisbane and ECLIPS in Canberra.
“This project is an example of how our investment in defence industry is not only growing our sovereign capability, but is delivering jobs and opportunities for companies right across Australia,” Minister Price said.
Project LAND 121 will deliver a networked and integrated capability as a significant contribution to the modernisation of the land forces. The new vehicles represent a significant increase in capability, replacing multiple vehicle fleets that have been in service since the early 1980s.
LAND 121 Phase 3A (lightweight and light vehicles and trailers) is acquiring a fleet of lightweight and light vehicles for operations in low-level threat environments and on humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations.
The LAND 121 Phase 3A fleet will comprise 2,146 unprotected Mercedes-Benz G-Wagons, including specialist modules, and 1,799 Haulmark trailers. The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagons are replacing the current fleet of Land Rovers.
Defence will acquire around 2,700 medium and heavy vehicles along with associated modules and approximately 1,700 trailers under LAND 121 Phase 3B. Contract signature took place in July 2013 with: Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia for vehicles and modules, and Haulmark Trailers (Australia) for trailers.
The Phase 3B fleet will include both protected vehicles (for operational deployment in high threat environments) and unprotected vehicles for operations in low-level threat environments and on humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations.
These vehicles will enhance performance and protection, and the Army’s training and logistic support capability, by providing uniformity throughout the fleet.
The vehicles will replace the current fleet of Unimog, Mack and S-Liner trucks. Subject to both companies’ performance, further quantities of vehicles, modules and trailers may be acquired under LAND 121 Phase 5B.
LAND 121 Phase 4 will acquire 1,100 Protected Mobility Vehicles-Light (PMV-L) for command, liaison, utility and reconnaissance roles. The PMV-L has been developed to provide an optimum balance of the requirements for survivability, mobility, payload, communications, usability and sustainability.
