General Dynamics and Thales Australia Announce Agreement to Team for LAND 400

ADELAIDE, Australia, March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics Land Systems and Thales Australia have signed a teaming memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the intention to submit a bid in response to the Land 400 Phase 2 - Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability Request For Tender.

General Dynamics and Thales have a proven track record of working together across a broad range of vehicle programs.  These include Canada's LAV III Upgrade, the UK Foxhound and Scout SV Programs, Switzerland's Piranha CBRN Program, and in Australia the ASLAV Program for Crew Procedural Trainer and electro-optics.  

General Dynamics Land Systems is the manufacturer of combat-proven 8x8 and tracked Military Off The Shelf (MOTS) Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV), Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) and Manoeuvre Support Vehicle (MSV) products, and has proven performance in delivering international programs in a timely and cost-effective manner.  Thales Australia has an established in-country industrial base of vehicle design, manufacture and through-life support and expertise in electronics, electro-optics, simulation and platform systems integration. The General Dynamics Land Systems / Thales team will offer Australia a compelling value-for-money solution comprising the complete suite of LAND 400 capabilities as required by the Australian Army.

Ian Cook, managing director of General Dynamics Land Systems – Australia, noted: "General Dynamics Land Systems and Thales will leverage our strengths to deliver a low-risk Land Combat Vehicle System capability for LAND 400. This is a great opportunity for us to combine world-leading MOTS 8x8 platforms with proven in-country manufacturing, integration, upgrade and through-life support. Our arrangement will maximise domestic and international opportunities for our Australian industry and builds on the success of our current platforms in protecting Australian soldiers."

Kevin Wall, Armaments & Protected Vehicles Vice President, Thales Australia, said: "General Dynamics is a global powerhouse in military vehicles. Combined with our experience delivering, supporting and upgrading the life-saving Bushmaster in Australia, we believe the collective expertise of our two companies represents a compelling offer for LAND 400."

General Dynamics Land Systems – Australia was established in 2000 to support the delivery of the ASLAV wheeled armoured fighting vehicles and has manufactured approximately 400, LAV-25 turrets, mostly for export.  General Dynamics Land Systems – Australia currently provides comprehensive support to the fielded fleets of M1A1 Abrams tanks and the ASLAVs. 

For information about General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), please visit www.gdls.com.

Thales Australia is the manufacturer of the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle, which is a local success story with over 1,000 vehicles already sold and supported in Australia and internationally. Thales Australia is a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force and is also present in commercial sectors ranging from air traffic management and ground transport systems to security systems and services. Employing around 3,200 people in over 35 sites across the country, Thales Australia recorded revenues of AUD 1 billion in 2013.

For more information, please visit: www.thalesgroup.com.

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SOURCE General Dynamics Land Systems-Australia

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http://www.gdlsaustralia.com