THE HON. GREG COMBET AM MP
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science
Thursday, 18 February 2010
023/2010
Potential Army Trucks Finalise Testing
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today
announced that trials for competing medium to heavy weight trucks for the
Australian Army had been completed.
Tenderers to provide Medium to Heavy Weight Trucks to the Army under
Project Land 121 were asked to provide a range of vehicle platforms for
evaluation. The Medium Heavy Capability component of Land 121 represents
approximately 2,000 trucks and modules.
“The trial tested 24 vehicles in five vehicle categories, employing over 64
Army test drivers and putting the trucks through comprehensive field testing,
on both public roads and military training areas, over a six month period,” Mr
Combet said.
“As a result of the trial Thales’ Bushmaster Utility, MAN Military Vehicle
Systems Australia’s HX vehicle series and Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific’s
Zetros and Actros vehicle series have been identified by Defence as the
contenders to proceed to the next stage,” Mr Combet said.
The trials were conducted under stage one of the Land 121 Medium Heavy
Capability tender refreshment process. The Government ordered the tender to
be refreshed when new requirements became apparent due to the changing
strategic environment.
“Phase 3 of Project Land 121 (Overlander) is the largest land project in the
current Defence Capability Plan that seeks to significantly improve the
capability, logistics and mobility for the Australian Defence Force,” Mr Combet
said.
“Given the previous problems that have been experienced in this project the
Government is fundamentally seeking a Military-Off-The-Shelf solution which
will be subject only to minimal changes necessary to address safety and
legislative requirements.
“This has been a problem project and we still have a way to go. However, the
Government is determined to ensure that we get this project back on track so
we can get the trucks our troops need to do their job,” Mr Combet said.
Media contacts:
Rod Hilton (Greg Combet)
02 6277 7620 or 0458 276 619
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
