General Dynamics-Thales team for Land 400 Phase 2

General Dynamics Land Systems and Thales Australia have teamed to respond to Australia's Land 400 Phase 2 - Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability Request for Tender (RfT). General Dynamics announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 10 March.

Land 400 constitutes the Australian army’s largest ever procurement. It will replace M113AS4 tracked vehicles, Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAV) and Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles with new-generation systems in the 2020-25 timeframe.

This phase covers the Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) to replace the ASLAV, which reaches the end of its life-of-type in 2021.

The team will offer Australia a solution comprising the complete suite of LAND 400 capabilities as required by the Australian Army.

Ian Cook, managing director, General Dynamics Land Systems – Australia, said that the company will work with Thales to deliver a low-risk land combat vehicle system capability for LAND 400.

He said: 'This is a great opportunity for us to combine world-leading MOTS 8x8 platforms with proven in-country manufacturing, integration, upgrade and through-life support. Our arrangement will maximise domestic and international opportunities for our Australian industry and builds on the success of our current platforms in protecting Australian soldiers.'

Thales Australia has an in-country industrial base of vehicle design, manufacture and through-life support. It also has expertise in electronics, electro-optics, simulation and platform systems integration.

General Dynamics and Thales have worked together before for various vehicle programmes, including the LAV III Upgrade in Canada, Foxhound and Scout SV programmes in the UK, ASLAV Program for Crew Procedural Trainer and electro-optics in Australia and Piranha CBRN Program in Switzerland.

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