Force Protection announced last week it had reached an agreement with the South Australian Government to manufacture and support its Ocelot vehicle in Adelaide, if it was successful in securing the contract to manufacture up to 1,300 next-generation protected mobility vehicles under the Land 121 Phase 4 program.
Force Protection CEO Michael Moody said that following discussions with the State Government and potential suppliers, SA offered the most suitable manufacturing base for the Ocelot.
“Since we first met with the Government and potential suppliers in 2009, it has become clear that SA can provide the essential ingredients we need to successfully manufacture and support the Ocelot,” Moody said.
“This view was confirmed during my recent discussions with Premier Mike Rann.
“The SA Government has been very supportive and highly professional in its discussions with us.
“South Australia’s reputation as Australia’s ‘Defence State’ is well-founded.
“I certainly believe that with our Ocelot, the strength and capability of Force Protection and our collaboration with SA, we will have a compelling offering for the Commonwealth of Australia.”
Force Protection has identified a site within the Edinburgh Parks precinct, in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, as a suitable location for its proposed vehicle manufacturing base.
The SA Government has said it is offering all three Land 121 Phase 4 bidders (Thales is hardly likely to take up the offer given the capability at their Bendigo plant but General Dynamics Land Systems - Australia very well could make use of the SA offer) the use of a multi-million dollar purpose-built vehicle manufacturing facility out at Edinburgh Parks, with Force Protection the first company to sign on to the offer.
The announcement comes in the wake of the news that the Ocelot has been selected for the UK’s Light Protected Patrol Vehicle recently.