The Australian government has approved a project worth up to $1 billion over 13 years to improve the equipment used by the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
The Integrated Soldier Systems project will deliver a range of equipment to the ADF to ensure it has the ability to meet emerging threats, be less detectable, less susceptible to enemy attacks and able to fight longer and more effectively in challenging conditions.
The first tranche will deliver supplements to the basic equipment used by soldiers including body armour, helmets, hearing and eye protection and load carriage equipment; as well as field equipment including water purifiers, helmet torches, storage bags, cooking gear and sleeping bags.
The Department of Defence is currently investing up to $240 million between now and 2023, with the flexibility to update and change things as technology develops in the future.
In future, the project will continue to enhance the basic equipment used by soldiers, as well as looking at things like hand-held translators, portable UAS and ideas like exoskeletons or mule unmanned vehicles to help soldiers carry their equipment.
Christopher Pyne, Australia’s Minister for Defence, said: ‘This investment under LAND 125 Phase 4 will ensure our soldiers have the mobility and protection to deploy quickly and achieve their mission as an integral component of the ADF.
‘Delivery of the subsequent tranches will be subject to a range of variables centred on incorporating emerging technologies, some yet to be fully developed, to ensure our soldiers continue to have the best capabilities available.’
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The missile was first unveiled at SeaFuture 2023 and later at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2024. Operational delivery is expected in 2028.
If all goes to plan, initial delivery of the selected vehicle could take place in 2029/2030 with final delivery in 2031/2032. The Bv206 were supplied to Canada many years ago and are in urgent need of replacement. More than 11,000 Bv206 were built for worldwide sale.
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The new artillery and howitzer factory pre-dates the emphasis on this capability from this month’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR). The first joint industry-government meeting outlined in the review took place this week.
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