Media Release
The Hon. John Moore, MP
Minister for Defence
Friday, 4th August, 2000 MIN192/00
Purchase of Additional Armoured Vehicles
The Minister for Defence, John Moore, today announced that the Australian Defence Force would acquire up to 150
additional Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAV) and support equipment.
The vehicles will be purchased under the next phase of Project ASLAV and will enhance the capability associated with the
existing fleet of 111 ASLAVs purchased between 1995 and 1997.
"Australia's existing fleet of ASLAVs performed very successfully in East Timor, and these additional vehicles have been
developed for and proven against the Australian Army's requirement to conduct armoured reconnaissance operations," Mr
Moore said.
"The Government has agreed to proceed with the contract, prior to the release of the White Paper later this year,
because of the ASLAVs capability to enhance the Army's ability to conduct and sustain reconnaissance and surveillance
operations.
"In addition to providing the ADF with a capable, state-of-the-art fleet of light armoured vehicles, the project will
provide a significant boost for the South Australian Defence industry and Australia's exports," Mr Moore said.
General Motors Defence (GMD), through the Canadian Commercial Corporation, is the successful tenderer, and the contract
will be managed by the recently established General Motors Defence Australia (GMDA) Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters
in Adelaide.
In line with the Federal Government's commitment to Australian industry and self reliance, GMD will establish a global
fabrication and regional assembly plant in Adelaide to build the ASLAV turrets. This will be the sole turret fabrication
facility for GMD's international program. Exports are expected to commence in March 2001, with a shipment of
approximately 100 LAV-25 turrets to Canada. Other potential export opportunities may include up to 500 turrets within
the next five years.
"The estimated value of transferring the turret manufacture to South Australia is $37.9 million," Mr Moore said. "An
estimated 50 full-time positions will be created at GMDA in South Australia as a direct consequence of the turret
production. Overall, there is a potential for more than 100 new jobs to be created." Australian industry involvement
also will include extensive Australian sourcing of vehicle components for ASLAV, a contract for the manufacture and fit
of Mission Role Installation Kits, as well as the assembly and test of the finished vehicles. This work will be
subcontracted to Tenix Defence Systems in Adelaide and is expected to be to the value of $40 million.
ENDS