Defence has signed a $5.3 million contract extension with BAE Systems Australia to provide technical support to the Army’s M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) fleet for another three years.
Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, said the contract extension allows BAE Systems Australia to continue to provide vital engineering services to the ‘remarkable’ APC fleet.
“This engineering services contract ensures the operation of the APC fleet for several more years until its replacement is provided under the Land 400 Phase 3 – Land Combat Vehicle System project,” Minister Price said.
“The contract extension with BAE Systems Australia represents continued investment and confidence in the highly technical and experienced Australian workforce.
“It is also recognition of the company’s highly valued expertise in supporting the APC vehicles over many years.”
BAE Systems Australia will continue to employ 20 staff at their Edinburgh site, in Adelaide’s north, to support the APC capability.
The APC family of vehicles are used by Army units across the country, including in Queensland at Townsville and Brisbane, Adelaide, and Puckapunyal.
The APCs have been in service since the Vietnam War almost six decades ago and will continue in service until the introduction of Land 400 vehicles later this decade.