Page 8 - Australian Defence Magazine Oct 2018

NEWS REVIEW
INDUSTRY UPDATE
Tenders open for Land 400 Phase 3
Phase 3 will see the venerable M113 replaced
THE multi-billion dollar project to replace Army’s M113 armoured personnel carriers has taken another step forward with the formal release of the Request for Tender for Land 400 Phase 3 (see P16 for more on the contenders on show at Land Forces).
Former Minister for Defence Marise Payne said the project will see Army’s ca-
pability significantly enhanced with a fleet of up to 450 modern Infantry Fighting Ve- hicles and 17 Manoeuvre Support Vehicles.
“This will be the largest investment in Army’s capability ever undertaken and will provide our troops with a modern close combat capability,” Minister Payne said. “The vehicles will be equipped with high
levels of protection, firepower and mobility that will enable sustained operations, vary- ing from peacekeeping to close combat.”
Former Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne encouraged Australian industry to get behind the project. Minis- ter Pyne indicated that during this tender process, Defence will work closely with in- dustry to optimise Australian industry ca- pability content.
“This project is another exciting oppor- tunity for Australian industry to deliver leading edge technology in support of the Army,” Minister Pyne added.
Defence is placing greater emphasis on a coordinated and programmatic approach to Army’s largest-ever project.
A new armoured vehicle division will be created to consolidate large programs like Land 400, Land 907 (Main Battle Tank Replacement) and Land 8160 (Enhanced Gap Crossing Capability) into a program- matic ‘mega project’ to be headed by Briga- dier Greg McGlone.
The full tender can now be downloaded from the AusTender website. Submissions will close on Friday 1 March 2019.
PM Morrison finalises Defence ministerial reshuffle
AUGUST’S political upheaval saw new PM Scott Morrison conduct a reshuffle of De- fence ministerial portfolios.
Senator Marise Payne, formerly Minister for Defence, took on a new role as Minister for Foreign Affairs at the recommendation of her predecessor Julie Bishop, who moved to the backbench.
Minister Christopher Pyne, formerly Minister for Defence Industry, replaced Senator Payne as Minister for Defence, and was himself replaced by former Minister for Trade Steve Ciobo.
“I am very pleased to be asked by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to serve as Aus- tralia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs,” Min- ister Payne said. “It has been an honour and privilege to serve as our nation’s Minister for Defence for the past three years. Without doubt, the most significant and rewarding part of my time as Defence Minister has been meeting the men and women of the ADF.”
In a statement, Minister Pyne paid trib- ute to former PM Malcolm Turnbull.
“It’s been a privilege to assist [Turnbull] in transforming our strategic industrial base and our national security through our com- mitment to the largest build-up of our mili- tary capability since World War 2,” Min- ister Pyne said. “I thank Malcolm for the opportunity to serve
alongside him in his
government. This has
been the most reward-
ing part of my 25 year
political career so far.”
Minister Ciobo highlighted previous work with Minister Pyne and looked for- ward to advancing the same agenda.
“Last year I worked closely with Christo-
pher Pyne to develop the Defence Export Strategy,” Minister Ciobo said. “I look for- ward to continuing Minister Pyne's work to build an Australian defence industry that advances the Australian economy.”
The charter letters for the new Defence ministerial line up had not been released at the time of writing.
8 | October 2018 | www.australiandefence.com.au