Rann plans defence spend for potential Ocelot DefeTHE State Government will invest tens of millions of dollars to establish a military-vehicle manufacturing precinct in Edinburgh Parks if South Australia wins a lucrative Defence Department contract.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/rann-plans-defence-spend-for-potential-ocelot-defence-department-contract/story-e6frea6u-1225941359612
The Ocelot armoured vehicle which could be built in South Australia by Force Protection Europe.
Defence has shortlisted three suppliers to build a fleet of 1300 light armoured vehicles in a contract expected to be worth at least $1 billion.
One of the three, Force Protection Australasia, announced today it would build the vehicles in Edinburgh Parks, north of Adelaide, if it wins the contract, creating 500 jobs.
South Australia had a depth of skills and offered the best base to manufacture its Ocelot armoured vehicles, chief executive Michael Moody said.
"SA's reputation as Australia's defence state is well founded," Mr Moody said.
"I certainly believe that with our Ocelot, the strength and capability of Force Protection and our collaboration with SA, we have a compelling offering for the Commonwealth of Australia."
The Ocelot last month was selected by the British Ministry of Defence as the vehicle for its urgent operational needs, including deployment to Afghanistan.
In Australia, Force Protection is in competition with Pooraka-based General Dynamics Land Systems and Thales, which operates out of Bendigo in Victoria, for the Land 121 Phase 4 light armoured vehicle program.
Premier Mike Rann said both other bidders had also been offered the opportunity of using the Edinburgh Parks precinct if they won the contract - but it was likely to come down to "a grand final between SA and Victoria".
"In the same way that we built the Techport Australia shipbuilding facility at Osborne that helped secure the $8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer contract, the State Government believes building strategic infrastructure will give our state a competitive advantage to win more projects," he said.
"The state-of-the-art, multimillion-dollar manufacturing facility at Edinburgh Parks would be designed first and foremost to meet the successful company's specific requirements," he said.
"Its flexible design, however, would ensure capacity for common-use and expansion to cater for additional activity beyond Land 121 Phase 4 production - particularly the project's through-life support and future vehicle replacement projects."
Construction of the common-user precinct, on State Government-owned land on Purling Avenue just north of the Elizabeth South golf course, would begin in 2013.
Mr Rann said the expenditure had been factored into the Budget, despite the constraints expressed this year.
"We've been very prudent with our finances and that's enabled us to invest in infrastructure now for the future," he said.
Mr Rann declined to estimate a cost - other than to say it would be "tens of millions" - because he feared other states would respond by offering a comparative facility.
All three bidders will supply test vehicles to the Defence forces early in the new year.
A target date of late 2012 to early 2013 has been set for Defence to award the contract.
Force Protection is headquartered in Ladson, South Carolina, and publicly listed on the Nasdaq.
The UK-designed Ocelot is roughly the size of a Land Rover and can carry six personnel.
It has a modular design with different "pods" available to change the vehicle and or make quick repairs.
Pods can be fitted to the core automotive, armoured hull in the field.
The hull has a V-shape to protect occupants from mine and bomb blasts and other threats.
The armoured hull houses the main fuel tank, drive line, batteries and generator as well as the powerpack, which includes the engine, gearbox, auxiliary fuel tank and electronic control units.
Extremely robust, but light enough to operate in urban and difficult terrain, it is designed to be easily repaired and maintained.
Commercial off-the-shelf components are used to ensure maximum availability of spares worldwide.
A manufacturing precinct in Edinburgh Parks will enable Force Protection easy access to automotive component suppliers in the district.
It will also be close to the new base for the 7RAR mechanised infantry battalion, where troops are due to begin arriving in January.