The Australian Army is receiving diverse new or updated equipment such as helmets, combat ensembles and weapons.
Helmets used by the Australian Defense Force (ADF) are to be upgraded by Melbourne-based Aquaterro, even while the Department of Defense has narrowed the field for its Integrated Soldier System to four companies.
On 27 July, Minister for Defense Industry Melissa Price announced that Aquaterro had won an $25.9 million contract to refurbish and upgrade in-service Team Wendy helmets. The deal is spread over five years, amounting to A$7 million annually.
Minister for Defense Industry Melissa Price congratulated Aquaterro for winning the $7 million a year contract, which has seen it establish Australia’s first combat helmet refurbishment and upgrade program.
“This program will extend the life of the Australian Defence Force’s existing fleet of tiered combat helmets by five years, and most importantly, will ensure our soldiers are protected on operations,” Minister Price said.
“Companies like Aquaterro are building robust domestic supply chains that we can rely on.
“Aquaterro’s work in establishing this program will help ensure the ADF has the best available capability to defend Australia and its national interests.”
With the majority of required spare parts manufactured in Australia, work on the helmets started in July at Aquaterro’s recently expanded purpose-built facility in Pakenham.
Aquaterro says that its facility will continue to enable the ongoing development and production of operationally relevant Integrated Soldier Systems and Small Arms programs capability for Australia’s defence industry.
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