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10,000-plus army fleet update rolls on

A 10,000-strong fleet renewed under Project Overlander

Army-trucks
Land 121 Medium Heavy Capability Vehicles loaded to be transported from Adelaide to Darwin in December 2019.

The Australian Defence Force’s (ADF’s) next generation logistic vehicle fleet – comprising more than 10,000 trucks, trailers and modules – is ready for operation, the Department of Defence reports.

The $5 billion Project Overlander – Land 121 Phase 3B and Phase 5B – achieved initial operational capability, and 3,751 vehicles, 4,730 modules and 2,565 trailers are ready to be delivered for ADF training and major exercises.

Some have already been deployed a range of defence operations in Australia, including the response to the Townsville floods and Defence’s ongoing contributions to Operation Bushfire Assist, along with security operations and partnered exercises in the Pacific, the department notes.

The fleet comprises Rheinmetall MAN vehicles and Haulmark trailers, together with componentry from Varley in Newcastle, Holmwood Highgate in Brisbane and Eclips in Canberra.

“These new medium, heavy and semi-trailer vehicles replace a fleet that is more than 30 years old with a next-generation vehicle and specialist modules,” federal Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds says.

“They will be used for a range of military deployments, from resupplying combat operations to supporting Defence’s assistance to Australian and regional communities after natural disasters.”

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price adds: “This project is an example of how our investment in defence industry is not only growing our sovereign capability, but is delivering jobs and opportunities for companies right across Australia.”

 

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