Page 105 - Australian Defence Magazine Dec21-Jan22

DECEMBER 2021-JANUARY 2022 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
MAJOR PROJECTS REVIEW 105
criteria of proven ability and maturity. “The Apache is the most lethal, most survivable and lowest risk option, meeting all of Defence’s capability, through-life support, security, and certification requirements,” Reynolds said.
On 3 February, Reynolds also announced an $800 mil- lion program to acquire new fleets of Australian-built amphibious vehicles and landing craft, under Land 8710 Phase 1 (Army Littoral Manoeuvre – Light) from 2026, re- placing Army’s existing LCM-8 landing craft and LARC-V amphibious vehicles.
Also on 3 February, Nova Systems and BAE Australia an- nounced the formation of Team SABRE (Soldier Augmen- tations and Battlefield Robotic Enablers) to compete for Army’s Land 125/4 (Integrated Soldier System) project. In
ABOVE: Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ship, NUSHIP Supply arrived at Fleet Base East
in Sydney on 15 January 2021
June, Team SABRE, Babcock Australasia and Elbit Systems Australia (ELSA) each announced it had been shortlisted for the program and in August, Rheinmetall Defence Aus- tralia (RDA) revealed it also remains in contention. A deci- sion is expected in early 2022 with deliveries from 2024.
Three examples of each of the shortlisted contenders for Army’s $18-27 billion Land 400 Phase 3 (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) project, Hanwha Defense Australia’s AS21 Red- back and Rheinmetall Defence Australia KF-41 Lynx, were
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