Land 400 driven by defence white paper

CORANGAMITE federal member Sarah Henderson is talking up the potential of a Geelong-based Land 400 as one of the major outcomes of the Defence White Paper.

Released last week, the white paper outlines nearly $30 billion in new defence spending by the end of the decade.

The Geelong-based Sentinel II is being touted as the Australian-made option for the 225 armoured vehicles to be delivered through the Land 400 project.

The Geelong “Team Sentinel” consortium is being led by Elbit Systems of Australia, with turret manufacturing, systems assembly and integration of the eight-wheeled vehicles to be based here. Other companies in Team Sentinel include WE Platt, Haulmax, Southern Prospect, Marand, Linfox and Avalon Airport.

importance of Land 400.

“The Land 400 Combat Vehicle Defence Project generation.

“With tenders currently being considered by government, I am delighted that one consortium intends to place part of its operations in Geelong if it wins the Land 400 tender.

“It is also focused on delivering a very high percentage of Australian industry content, which of course is a very important priority for our government.

“That means more jobs for local workers, and more opportunities for businesses and the extended supply chain.”

She said the Geelong region had many existing manufacturing facilities that could be re-purposed for part of the manufacture, assembly and maintenance needed for the project.

“With Deakin University, the Geelong Port, Avalon Airport, the Point Wilson defence facility and existing roads and rail freight infrastructure, our region has so much to offer.”

The Department of Defence is presently evaluating as many as four consortia who have submitted bids to phase 2 of Land 400.

Next month, the department is expected to release a shortlist of two bidders, who will each provide three vehicles for further testing.