Defence Purchases New Anti-tank Artillery Round

Defence Purchases New Anti-tank Artillery Round

The Department of Defence has finalised the acquisition of a new anti-tank artillery round. This new artillery round will ensure that ADF troops can be protected against attack from modern armoured vehicles. It replaces an existing but obsolescent capability, the Copperhead laser-guided 155mm artillery shell, which is at the end of its service life.

The 'SMArt 155' artillery round is a sensor-fused precision munition that has been developed by the German firm, Gesellschaft für Intelligente Wirksysteme mbH (GIWS) for use against tanks and other armoured vehicles in all weather and terrain environments. Each SMArt 155 artillery shell delivers two sensor-fused projectiles.

The SMArt 155's capacity for autonomous target detection makes it very accurate against specific targets. It uses a range of sensors to detect a target and is designed to be effective against heavily armoured vehicles rather than personnel. As a result, it poses little risk to non-combatant civilians.

Independent, reliable and redundant self-destruction mechanisms are incorporated into the SMArt 155. If a target is not detected, the SMArt 155 has redundant mechanisms that will cause it to self-destruct, thus eliminating the threat to civilians from explosive remnants of war. In the unlikely event of the redundant self-destruct mechanisms not functioning as intended, a self neutralisation mechanism will render the projectile inert.

The acquisition of SMArt 155 is consistent with Australia's obligations under international humanitarian law, and takes into account the Government's commitment to avoid humanitarian hazards.

The cost of acquisition is approximately A$14m. The items being acquired include the SMArt155 projectile and the associated propelling charge, fuze, and inductive fuze setter. Delivery is expected to commence in late 2007.

The SMArt 155 represents an important capability for Defence, and its acquisition is in keeping with the Government's goal of maintaining a modern, technologically advanced Defence Force.

ENDS

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