Land 400 decision postponed

A DECISION about whether Geelong will be part of the next phase of Land 400 has been put off, as the federal government has extended the evaluation period for the $10 billion contract.
The Request for Tender (RFT) period for the armoured vehicles was expected to have ended by now with the announcement of a shortlist of at least two bidders.
These bidders – one contender is the Geelongbased Team Sentinel and its Sentinel II vehicle – will then provide examples for testing in the Risk Management Activities (RMA) period, which will take at least 12 months.
However, last week, Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson said the Department of Defence had requested and been granted an extension to the RFT so Defence could review the RMA and how Industry Policy Statement (DIPS).
“As announced in the 2016 Defence White formally recognising that defence industry is a pillar of our national security capability,” Ms Henderson said. those Land 400 defence consortiums which intend to deliver a high level of Australian industry content and local jobs.
“This is one of Army’s most significant contracts in a generation. This review will ensure Defence can obtain the best possible solution for Australian industry while delivering the required capability to Army.
“Importantly, it will have no effect on the planned in-service date for the combat vehicles.”
She said Team Sentinel modelling showed the consortium winning the bid for the 225 vehicles would create about 300 direct and indirect local jobs.
Australian Made Defence spokesperson Chris Burns said the defence industry would be closely to insisting on maximum Australian industry involvement in the Land 400 project, and whether it was consistent with the sentiments expressed in DIPS.
“Its good and well to have a policy, but government will need to do a lot better than a measly five per cent or $100 million worth of Australian industry work in the $2 billion replenishment ship project they have just sent to Spain.”