General Dynamics Land Systems-Australia has delivered two EAGLE 4x4 Light Protected Vehicles to the Australian Army Proving Ground at Monegeetta in Victoria in support of the Australian Army’s LAND 121 requirement for a deployable, light-protected vehicle fleet.
The vehicles will be evaluated by Defence specialists in the coming weeks as part of a proposal to build and support a domestically-manufactured armoured vehicle fleet, as an alternative to importing vehicles.
Gary Stewart, managing director of General Dynamics Land Systems-Australia, stated, “A locally manufactured and supported EAGLE vehicle represents a low-risk, high-capability option for the Australian Army. There is no substitute for operational experience when proving the credibility of an armoured vehicle system, and EAGLE vehicles are saving lives today for United Nations forces in Afghanistan.”
He added, “The other exciting element of this program is the real opportunity for Australian industry to participate in General Dynamics’ global supply chain. We look forward to engaging with Australian companies as part of our design, manufacturing and sustainment transfer initiatives for this program.”
Currently in service with several European armies, the EAGLE vehicle provides a combat-proven, low-risk system that delivers improved soldier protection, mobility and payload.
General Dynamics Land Systems-Australia has harnessed the innovation, skills, technology and facilities of General Dynamics’ global organisation to propose a superior vehicle system and long-term sustainment services that are a powerful match to the Commonwealth’s requirements for advanced technical performance and Australian content.
The flexible design of the General Dynamics EAGLE vehicle provides soldiers with a platform that can be configured for a variety of additional roles such as the special forces and tactical training.
Participation in Land 121 Phase 4 during the production and sustainment phases will create over 200 Australian vehicle-manufacturing jobs.
It also will allow Australian suppliers to enter General Dynamics’ global supply chain, which has been responsible for the delivery of approximately 15,000 military vehicles, potentially creating export opportunities for Australian industry.
