The Australian Minister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly AM MP has announced that up to 150 Australian jobs are expected to be created as a result of contracts. The contracts are related to Phase 3B of Project LAND 121 – ‘Project Overlander’ and were signed by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia and Haulmark Trailers (Australia) for the supply of the Australian defence force’s next generation of trucks and trailers.

A contract signature ceremony was held at Damascus Barracks in Brisbane hosted by the Head of the Defence Materiel Organisation’s Land Systems Division, Major General Paul McLachlan AM CSC.

Dr Kelly said the new vehicles, modules and trailers to be delivered under LAND 121 Phase 3B would see Defence acquire the next generation of vehicles in protected and unprotected configurations – representing a significant increase in safety, capability and protection for the Australian defence force (ADF).

The 2013 Defence White Paper outlined the requirement to provide around 2,700 protected and unprotected medium and heavy vehicles, together with trailers and specialist modules, under Project LAND 121 Phase 3B. These will include medium and heavy recovery vehicles; medium and heavy tractors; heavy integrated load-handling vehicles (self-loading hook lift trucks); and medium-weight tray variants (with cranes and tippers).

“The vehicles will have enhanced performance and protection representing a significant increase in safety, as well as providing consistency across the fleet, ensuring improved efficiency in operator training and simplifying logistic support to land forces,” Dr Kelly said.