Death Adder strikes hard in Australia
Bale Defence has won the ADF’s Rough Terrain Vehicle 2 tender with its diminutive in-service Death Adder. (Bale Defence)
A small Australian-built tactical vehicle has been selected for army special forces.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has awarded an $A8.47 million ($6.17 million) contract to a domestic firm for 40 small tactical off-road vehicles.
Bale Defence, based in Port Macquarie, will manufacture the new-generation Death Adder rough-terrain vehicles (RTV).
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said, ‘The rough-terrain vehicle provides an important tactical, light, all-terrain land capability used by the ADF on operations and exercises both in Australia and overseas.’
An RfT for this RTV 2 programme had been issued on 9 July 2019, listing the need for 40 vehicles with an option for up to 30 more. Submissions closed on
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![AUSA 2025: BAE Systems delivers more than 500 AMPVs to the US Army]()
AUSA 2025: BAE Systems delivers more than 500 AMPVs to the US Army
The US Army requires 2,907 Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles to replace its M113 family, and there are multiple versions in production.
-
![AUSA 2025: AM General Hawkeye awaits first production contract]()
AUSA 2025: AM General Hawkeye awaits first production contract
AM General presented its new Hawkeye at AUSA 2025 in Washington, with prototypes of the howitzer system having been trialled in Ukraine last year.
-
![AUSA 2025: Lionstrike lays out plans for British Army vehicle bid as competitors get ready]()
AUSA 2025: Lionstrike lays out plans for British Army vehicle bid as competitors get ready
In September 2025, BAE Systems announced that it was joining GM Defense and NP Aerospace to form Team Lionstrike. The team will be offering a version of GM Defense’s infantry support vehicle which is based on the commercial Colorado vehicle.
-
![AUSA 2025: KNDS France to bid for US Army requirement]()
AUSA 2025: KNDS France to bid for US Army requirement
The CAESAR Mk II, which was debuted internationally at Eurosatory last year, is a step up from the first model which has seen combat in Ukraine and the Middle East.
-
![AUSA 2025: IAI reveals robotic route clearance system]()
AUSA 2025: IAI reveals robotic route clearance system
The Elta 6631 has been developed using the experience of the Israel Defense Forces in route proving, and can be customised for various customers and circumstances.
-
![AUSA 2025: Boeing wins $2.7 billion PAC-3 production contract as it explores supply chain expansion]()
AUSA 2025: Boeing wins $2.7 billion PAC-3 production contract as it explores supply chain expansion
Boeing will work with prime contractor Lockheed Martin to boost PAC-3 production capacity to hit higher delivery targets, as demand for the interceptors continues to surge.
