In order to get an idea of the art of the possible, Army has engaged with a consortium of Australian owned and run companies led by EOS to provide a proof of concept for the delivery of C4I products and technologies and capabilities in Australia.

Australian SME Sigma Bravo will partner with Hanwha Defense Australia to deliver training packages and training equipment to support the AS9 Huntsman Self-Propelled Howitzer and AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle.

Collins Aerospace has been awarded a contract to supply the next generation Digital Terminal Control Systems under the Australian Land 17 Phase 2 program.

DroneShield has sold a quantity of its RfOne MKIITM long-range sensors to the Australian Army.

The government is currently evaluating a proposal from Hanwha Defense Australia, under a sole-source tender mechanism, for a locally-built variant of its successful 155mm, 52 calibre K9 Thunder SPH, to enter service in the mid-2020s.

Bisalloy Steels has announced the receipt of a significant order from Rheinmetall for highly specialised armour steel.

WFEL has commenced production of Boxer vehicles for the British Army at its new manufacturing plant in the northwest of England.

The Ajax that was unsuccessfully proposed by General Dynamics Land Systems for the ADF’s Project Land 400 Phase 3 is facing serious problems in meeting the requirements of the UK’s armoured vehicle program.

In the initial acquisition of the Abrams tanks back in 2004, the boost to Army’s capability looked to be pretty good value and the opportunity cost was low. Looking at the current proposal, I come to a different conclusion.

The Republic of Korea Army is scheduled to trial the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle next year, creating a potential opportunity for Australian defence industry exports.

Given its potential to determine which contractor will benefit from Army’s costliest-ever acquisition program, the outcome of the detailed testing and evaluation now underway on the two contenders for the ADF’s IFV requirement is keenly awaited.

In the June edition of this magazine, Ewen Levick asked – why do we need tanks? In doing so, he critiqued a publication I co-authored four years ago on this subject. In the interest of robust debate, I feel obliged to respond.

Kongsberg Defence Australia has announced that communications company Eylex has been selected by KONGSBERG to provide cable systems for an International National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) Program.

With the final contracted capability for its Integrated Battlefield Telecommunications Network to be rolled out from next year, Boeing Defence Australia is now turning its attention to other opportunities to market the system at home and abroad.

Japanese troops have arrived in Darwin ahead of the trilateral Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2021, joining US Marines already undertaking training in the region.

German company RENK has announced its intention to expand an operational footprint into Australia should Rheinmetall’s Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) be selected for the Land 400 Phase 3 program.