AUS: Defence equipment to be put through its paces

The $35 million expansion of the Monegeeta Proving Ground Complex was officially opened by the Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today.
“The latest equipment to be used by Australian troops in battle will be put to the test here at these new facilities,” Mr Clare said.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare was joined by Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell to officially open the precinct today.

“This is all about making sure our troops have the right equipment to do their job,” Mr Clare said.
“The equipment our troops rely on in battle can be their lifeline.
“It needs to be battle-ready and safe.
“That’s why we need to test it thoroughly before we put it in their hands.”

The Monegeetta Proving Ground Complex:
• Tests equipment before it is manufactured to make sure it does the job it is supposed to do in the conditions faced by our troops;
• Ensures that electrical equipment like power generators and batteries will work in any weather;
• Tests vehicles to measure handling and stability on any terrain; and
• Uses thermal imagery testing to measure how equipment performs at night and in other low-light conditions.

Equipment is subjected here to the same kind of conditions our troops face on operations. That includes rugged terrain, extreme weather and night time operations.

The Complex consolidates the two existing test facilities, one at Maryibyrnong and the existing facilities at Monegeeta into one state-of-the-art precinct.
The $35 million expansion of the Monegeeta complex includes new hot and cold weather testing chambers, a new enclosed weapons facility and a bigger heavy vibration testing facility.

Mr Mitchell said the site was also an investment in the local economy.
“This Australian Government investment translates into more than 50 full time jobs here in the Macedon Ranges,” Mr Mitchell said.
“That makes Defence one of the major employers in the Shire and that’s great news for our community.”

ENDS

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