Page 38 - Australian Defence Mag March 2020

38 LAND WARFARE VEHICLES LAND 400
MARCH 2020 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
and operate one vehicle type throughout the testing and user evaluation; again the approach used during the Phase 2 RMA. Testing will be assessed against the technical require- ments set out in the Request for Tender documentation to confirm tenderers’ claims, and also to assess vehicle perfor-
mance from a user perspective.
The outcome of this testing will form part of a broader
evaluation of tendered material. RMA will conclude with the two contenders submitting their final offers, which will be the subject of a final evaluation leading to a decision on
Each company will be allocated one five-minute session to deliver a pitch on their capabilities, followed by five min- utes for each of the shortlisted tenderers to ask questions of the company.
Rheinmetall’s Stewart agreed that bridging the time be- tween RfTs and contracts with the company’s Australian industry network could be a challenge, but it was also an opportunity to further engage companies in aspects of the Lynx design that were already being transitioned here.
“In the interim we’re looking to find Australian suppli- ers who are able to meet our quality standards and design aspects. We then work with the companies to use their qualified products on our international programs as part of our overall global supply chain strategy ahead of any subse- quent contract here in Australia.
“This same approach has proved successful in our Phase 2 program.”
Hanwha’s Cho disclosed that the company’s three RMA vehicles would include Bisalloy armour steel “and we took less than a month to certify Bisalloy as a credible supplier”.
“Our view is that if the Australian industry base is able to supply products of the quality we expect, on time and in a competitive fashion, we see no barrier to us inducting Australian companies as part of our supply chain not only to the global market but into Korea itself.
“Korean companies believing they have a monopoly on supply is not the right way of ensuring the best outcome for our customer.” ■
ABOVE: The industry roadshow for both the Lynx (above) and Redback began this month.
“THE DEFENCE-FACILITATED AIC ROADSHOW BEING UNDERTAKEN IN MARCH AND APRIL IN
12 MAJOR CENTRES.”
the preferred supplier in 2022. Importantly, the response to any failure will be dependent on the nature of the failure, and the ability of the tenderer to dem- onstrate rectification of such a
failure.
Although Defence declined to
comment on RMA blast testing, sources said this would be undertaken at STANAG 4A/4b level involving one 10kg mine explosion under a track and
another under the centreline of the hull.
Surrogates to replace high-value components in the blast
test vehicle may be considered where feasible and appro- priate, and where the replacement of such items does not compromise the validity of test results.
INDUSTRY ROADSHOW
The Defence-facilitated AIC roadshow being undertaken in March and April in 12 major centres will enable companies to showcase their capabilities and provide both contend- ers with the opportunity to identify local businesses able to contribute to their supply chains.
RHEINMETALL