Defence Minister Kevin Andrews visited Polaris Industries Australia & New Zealand in Melbourne on February 18th to witness the dispatch of 29 All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) to the ADF.
The vehicles will be taken to Bandiana for acceptance into ADF service and brings the number of vehicles delivered to 288.
“The delivery of these 29 vehicles represents and enduring and strong relationship that has been developed between the ADF and Polaris Industries since 2005,” the Minister said.
“The vehicles are highly successful due to their high degree of mobility in difficult terrain and their ability to be inserted and extracted by ADF land, air and sea assets.”
Polaris Industries Australia & New Zealand is a fully owned subsidiary of Polaris Inc. in the United States and manages operations in Australia and New Zealand. It has provided off-road vehicles (ORVs) to the ADF for more than 20 years.
The ADF currently uses two different types of Polaris ATV; the Sportsman, which is modified to meet ADF requirements at Polaris’ facility in Derrimut, and the MV850 military off the shelf (MOTS) four-wheel drive vehicle is in widespread use with all three services.
During the past ten years the company has supplied more than 320 units to the Defence Materiel Organisation and a further 100 through Direct Unit Purchase.
A third vehicle, the Dragor Ultra Light Combat Vehicle will shortly arrive in Australia for testing by Army’s Special Forces.
The Dragor is purpose-designed for military use and leverages US military experience in Afghanistan. Five vehicles are due to undergo ‘Battle Lab’ operational test and evaluation (OT&E) in Western Australia to determine their suitability for use by the ADF.
“In Australia we are here to support the ADF locally, just as our company supports coalition forces internationally,” commented Polaris Australia managing director Peter Alexander.
“This is a relationship that everyone in our team is rightfully proud of. It is very special to know we are helping the brave men and women of our defence force.”