Thales and Oshkosh Compete for Australia's Overlander Programme

24 Juli 2009

Oshkosh Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (photo : Army Recognition)

Thales Australia has joined with a division of Oshkosh Coporation, Oshkosk Defense, to submit seven vehicles to the Australian Department of Defence as part of Australia's Land 121 'Overlander' Programme.

The Land 121 Overlander programme is a $3 billion major capital equipment project to acquire the future fleet of field vehicle and trailers for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The project will replace the existing fleet of army trucks, four-wheel drives, trailers and modules for the Army's high readiness units.

The tender for the medium/heavy vehicles and modules was released in March 2005 for 2,000 Military off the Shelf (MOTS) trucks, for which Thales Australia and Oshkosh Defense are competing.

The programme is currently conducting Camparative Evaluation Testing of all vehicles tendered after a refresh of ADF requirements, and is expected to be complete by the end of October 2009.

Thales Bushmaster Single Vehicle Cab (photo : Army Recognition)

Of the seven vehicles being submitted, five are Oshkosh Defense variants, based on its US Marine Corps Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) platform, and two are Thales Bushmaster Single Vehicle Cab vehicles, variants of the combat-proven Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle.

Andy Hove, of Oshkosh Corporation, said, 'Oshkosh Defense and Thales Australia bring to this program the best military logistic vehicles for the ADF fleet. The MTVR is combat proven, operating successfully with U.S. forces in a number of different combat operations. Its exceptional off-road mobility means no mission is out of reach.'

Chris Jenkins, Managing Director of Thales Australia, said, 'Every soldier deserves the highest level of protection. Together, Thales Australia and Oshkosh Defense can provide the ADF with a vehicle range that offers exceptional crew protection, mobility, combat flexibility and reliability.

'The Thales Bushmaster has served the Australian and Dutch armed forces successfully in operational deployment, protecting and saving lives during numerous incidents.'

(Asian Military Review)