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.<\/p>\n
Released last week, the white paper outlines nearly $30 billion in new defence spending by the end of the decade.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Geelong \u201cTeam Sentinel\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
importance of Land 400.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Land 400 Combat Vehicle Defence Project generation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is also focused on delivering a very high percentage of Australian industry content, which of course is a very important priority for our government.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat means more jobs for local workers, and more opportunities for businesses and the extended supply chain.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Department of Defence is presently evaluating as many as four consortia who have submitted bids to phase 2 of Land 400.<\/p>\n
Next month, the department is expected to release a shortlist of two bidders, who will each provide three vehicles for further testing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n