Elbit Systems of Australia (ELSA) and Marand have signed a memorandum of agreement for Land 400 Phase 2 the Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle MT30 turret production.

This MOU facilitates the transfer of IP and the manufacture of key components of a MT30 turret to be evaluated as part of Defence’s Land 400 Phase 2 trial.

"Manufacturing the 3rd turret for the vehicle trial in Australia will allow Team Sentinel to reduce the production risk."

Managing Director of ELSA Dan Webster said “manufacturing the 3rd turret for the vehicle trial in Australia will allow Team Sentinel to reduce the production risk and demonstrate our partners Australian advanced manufacturing excellence”.

“When presented with the choice of overseas or local production for the 3rd MT30 turret, manufacturing turret three in Australia to demonstrate our Australian partner’s manufacturing excellence just made sense,” he said.

Marand will manufacture and assemble 180 MT30 turrets in their facility at the Ford Factory in Geelong should Team Sentinel be selected by Defence to be the preferred tenderer. These turrets would be fitted to 8x8 vehicles manufactured in Tasmania by Elphinstone at the final assembly and production facility to be located at Avalon Airport.

The later delivery of the third vehicle (about 33 weeks into the Risk Mitigation Activity) presents the perfect opportunity to manufacture in Australia, including identification of appropriate Australian steel options. 

See ADM's story on the launch of the Sentinel II here.