Page 46 - Defence Industry Guide #54 2021

ADM’s Defence Industry Guide 2021 | Edition 54 | www.defencesuppliers.com.au
46 LAND FORCES 2021 REVIEW
TEAMS LINE UP FOR ARMY LITTORAL
TRANSPORT PROGRAM
Defence’s $800 million Land 8710 Phase 1 (Littoral Manoeuvre – Light) program attracted some attention during Land Forces 2021, with an announcement of intent by WA-based shipbuilder Austal and a teaming agreement between Navantia Australia and Rheinmetall Defence Australia both making news on day one of the event.
NIGEL PITTAWAY | DEPUTY EDITOR
LAND 8710/1 was formally announced in February by for- mer Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and will oversee local construction of new vessels to replace Army’s current LCM- 8 (Landing Craft Mechanised) and an amphibious vehicle to replace the 5-ton LARC-V (Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo) fleets from 2026.
Austal CEO Paddy Gregg said his company will team for the bid, but won’t select a partner (or partners) until a for- mal Request for Tender (RFT) is announced and the Com- monwealth’s requirements are fully understood.
“We’re doing a lot of concept work to understand what’s technically possible and then we will align that with what the customer wants to deliver the best possible product we can,” Gregg said.
“And in doing that, we will partner with the people who have the most experience in the areas the customer tells us they are looking for.”
Gregg added that Austal’s proposal will include construc- tion of the vessels in its Henderson facility, following on from work currently undertaken to deliver Guardian and Enhanced Cape-class patrol boats to the Navy and Austra- lia’s Pacifi partners.
“We want to do that for two reasons, one to win the work and deliver capability for the ADF, but second, we would really like to develop a product that is capable of export,” he said.
“It’s a great opportunity for Australia, a great opportunity for Austal, and a great opportunity for Australian businesses
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