Elbit shares a $1.4 billion Australian army deal
Elbit Systems of Australia Pty Ltd has hosted at its facility in Canberra the Australian Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne MP, Senator for the Australia Capital Territory, Zed Seselja and the Chief of the Army, Lieutenant General Angus Campbell marking the award of Tranche 2 of the Australian Army’s Land 75/125 program.
Andrew Libby, Christopher Pyne, Nathan Habermehl and Senator Zed Seselja
Elbit Systems reported this contract award on September 27, 2017. The program is the extension and enhancement of the Australian Army’s Battle Management System (BMS) originally procured under the Land 75/125 Program.
Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems, commented: “Australia is an important market for Elbit Systems and we are proud to have been selected by the Department of Defence for the next phase of this major program. This additional award is a significant next step in digitising the Australian Army and strengthens our continued strategic partner-relationship with one of the world’s most advanced and modern fighting forces.”
Elbit Systems is the prime contractor of the Australian Army’s BMS and it supplies, integrates, installs and supports the Battle Group and Below Command, Control and Communications (BGC3) system for the Australian Army’s Land 75/125 program. The BGC3 is comprised of a BMS for soldiers, Vehicle Mounted Commanders and Headquarters/Command Post Staff. The project will be performed primarily by ELSA, employing over one hundred engineers across several company sites.
The way wars are fought on the modern battlefield will be revolutionised with the new Battlefield Command System for the Army.
Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne MP and Minister for Defence, Senator Marise Payne today announced the approval of the Land 200 Tranche 2 Project.
Worth up to $1.4 billion, the project will enhance the Australian Defence Force’s digital command, control and communications systems and support hundreds of local jobs.
Minister Pyne said Harris Communications Australia will deliver the tactical communications network, including encrypted radios, and Elbit Systems of Australia will enhance the Battle Management System software, which tracks our units, delivered under Land 200 Tranche 1.
“Together they form the Battlefield Command System, which allows commanders to plan, monitor, direct and review operations in real-time,” said Minister Pyne.
Minister Payne said this will change the way the Army fights by continuing its transformation from an analogue voice and paper-based force to a modern digital one.
“It will improve our land combat and amphibious warfare capabilities by providing fast, accurate information over secure and reliable digital communications,” said Minister Payne.
“The Battlefield Command System will integrate with weapon systems in Australia’s tanks and future combat vehicles, increasing decision speed and the ability to share information across the battlefield.”
Minister Pyne said Harris and Elbit’s Australian workforce will grow as a result of the Turnbull Government’s investment.
“Harris’ Australian workforce will increase by 70 to 120 positions in Brisbane and another 15 new positions will be established by their major subcontractor, Boeing Defence Australia,” said Minister Pyne.
“Elbit’s Australian workforce to support Land 200 will grow by 70 to 122 with 67 in Brisbane and 55 in Melbourne.”
Australian industry involvement is valued around $215 million for acquisition and this is expected to nearly double to around $400 million during project sustainment.
Parent Elbit Systems Ltd. is an Israeli-based international defense electronics company
