The SA government has committed to building a defence technology centre to integrate all land combat arms systems.
Announced at the opening of the Land Forces 2016 convention in Adelaide, the Land Integration and Innovation Centre would be dedicated to supporting the Army’s entire Land Combat System.
SA Premier Jay Weatherill said the centre would allow for an agile response to contemporary security challenges.
“It will provide a place where Defence and industry can increase collaboration and innovation ... and it will include the co-location of all the manufacturing, sustainment and pre-delivery proving facilities, as well as the various teams necessary to support the army.”
Weatherill added that in order to ensure the highest level of support, the centre will be located within a Land Systems Precinct at Edinburgh Parks.
The commitment to support all land force combat systems comes on the back of BAE Systems Australia and Rheinmetall Land Systems being shortlisted for the $5 billion Phase 2 of Land 400.
Both companies are based in SA and will spend the next year outlining their detailed plans on how and where their armoured fighting vehicles will be manufactured.
The proposed Land Integration and Innovation Centre will be located in the already established Land Systems Precinct to the north of the capital city of Adelaide.