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Integrating a solution for Australian soldiers: Land 125 phase 4 Land 125 Phase 4 is a programme to deliver an integrated soldier system to Australian Defence Force troops, using technology sourced from local suppliers. Berenice Healey talks to two of the downselected teams about their bids. In September 2018, Australia’s Morrison Government approved a project to enhance and continuously improve the equipment used by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The project, valued at up to AUD1bn over 13 years, aims to deliver an integrated solider system (ISS) of components to be carried or worn by ADF soldiers, supporting operations of up to 72 hours without resupply. Four teams were downselected for the tender process in June 2021: Babcock Australasia, Rheinmetall Defence Australia, Elbit Systems of Australia and Team Sabre, which consists of Safran, Australian consultancy Nova and BAE Systems. We caught up with Babcock and Rheinmetall to find out more about their bids.
INCORPORATING LOCAL INDUSTRY A key component of Land 125 phase 4 is Australian Industry Capability (AIC), a government policy that calls on contractors to actively seek out Australian solutions, stimulate local industry and provide opportunity for capability to grow locally. Babcock’s making a conscious choice not to make any of its own products for the Land 125 Phase 4 programme. Babcock Australia head of customer solutions, (defence & security) land Craig Schwartz explains that it’s also about recognising the capabilities within the local landscape and being able to share that capability internationally as well where possible. “In terms of how we’re going 14
AUSTRALIAN PEACEKEEPER
Private Eric Curll from 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment scans the Enoggera Close Training Area for enemy role players during Exericse Ram Strike. Defence image.
to attract and bring together that capability, Babcock’s making a conscious choice not to make any of its own products for the Land 125 Phase 4 programme,” he says. “There’s enough capability out there already; why would you go out and then try to find another version that somebody else makes when you can access what we call best of breed across a range of categories, and provide that to the customer in a way that is aligned to their requirements? “We believe that the Australian industry is supported by capable international organisations as well, so we can pull together a solution that meets the requirements today, but then also has flexibility.” Rheinmetall general manager electronic solutions Andre Neumann says that the company is also committed to enhancing Australian sovereign capability for defence.
Rheinmetall has a strong, dedicated AIC team, with leading local companies, developers and innovators in this space. “The approach to Land 125-4 will deliver an Australian-vendorfirst solution that leverages best ISS technologies delivered by Australian SMEs,” he says. “Rheinmetall has a strong, dedicated AIC team, with leading local companies, developers and innovators in this space. Our approach to Land 125-4 is to provide a vendor solution that leverages best of breed technologies delivered by Australian providers.” One of the reasons that the ADF isn’t looking to adapt an extant soldier system is due to the unique challenges of Australia. As Schwartz says: “Look at the size of the country; from Perth to Sydney is London to Moscow. From
