$1billion for new soldier personal equipment approved

The Morrison Government has approved a project to enhance and continuously improve the equipment used by the Australian Defence Force.

FILE PHOTO (November 2016): Australian soldiers Private Luke Peters (standing), Corporal Rory Dek (left) and Private Luke Bryant at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. Photo by Sergeant Janine Fabre – digitally altered by CONTACT.

Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne said the Integrated Soldier Systems project, valued at up to $1 billion over its 13-year life cycle, would deliver a range of items of equipment to the ADF for use by our troops.

“We’re taking a flexible approach here, investing up to $240 million between now and 2023, with the flexibility to update and change things as technology develops into the future,” Minister Pyne said.

“This project will deliver a broad range of equipment to ensure our personnel continue to meet emerging threats, are 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 like water purifiers, helmet torches, storage bags, cooking gear, and sleeping bags.

“In the future, the project will continue to enhance the basic equipment used by soldiers to keep it up to date, as well as looking at things like hand-held translators, portable unmanned aerial vehicles and ideas like exoskeletons or ‘mule’ unmanned vehicles to help soldiers carry their equipment.”

Minister Pyne said this investment, under Project LAND 125 Phase 4, would ensure our soldiers had the mobility and protection to deploy quickly and achieve their mission as an integral component of the ADF.

“Delivery of 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.”

An open Request for Tender to establish a prime vendor for the supply of ADF field equipment will be released to market through AusTender.

Industry are encouraged to register with AusTender, which will provide access to all tender documentation and ensure companies receive additional updates on the project.

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