Article Posted on : - May 30, 2011

The M1A1 Abrams tank.

ADELAIDE (BNS): General Dynamics’ Australian subsidiary has won a contract to provide through life support service to the Australian Army’s fleet of combat vehicles.

The AU$44.8 million contract, spanning for a period of five years, entails delivery of enhanced fleet availability for the ASLAV wheeled armoured fighting vehicles, M1A1 Abrams tanks, and M88A2 Heavy Recovery vehicles.

The contract also includes a one year phase-in period.

Ongoing spare parts, repairs, maintenance and engineering tasks will be ordered as required through this integrated support contract, General Dynamics Land Systems Australia, a business unit of General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada in London, Ontario, said.

Gary Stewart, Managing Director of General Dynamics Land Systems - Australia, said the performance-based contract provides an adaptable framework to ensure sustainable, dependable and high quality service delivery.

The contract enables the repair, maintenance and upgrade of combat vehicle fleets to remain a strategic industry capability within Australia, he added.

“The long range focus of this program also presents the opportunity for Australian industry to participate in General Dynamics’ global supply chain,” Stewart said.

“We look forward to engaging with Australian companies as part of our design, manufacturing and sustainment transfer initiatives for this contract and other programs,” the official said.