Land 17 options whittled down
http://www.australiandefence.com.au...objectID/0695B568-65BF-75E5-C5AC6D6FEA9F604F/
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Tenix Defence has confirmed that it and Bofors will not be offering the Archer wheeled self-propelled howitzer (SPH) for Land 17, and Rheinmetall has also decided against bidding the Denel G6 for the same requirement (quick note that Rheinmetall has just bought a 51 per cent stake in the South African munitions outfit, subject to relevant approvals).
With both wheeled SPH systems no longer in contention for this requirement, there remains some doubt as to whether Krauss Maffei Wegmann (KMW) will go ahead in offering its much favoured PzH 2000 tracked SPH.
If it doesn’t, there is a possibility that the SPH element of Land 17 may be faced with only one contender, the Samsung Techwin AS-9.
This being the case, it could also face a hostile National Security Committee of Cabinet at second pass, that might demand a major revision of the artillery replacement project, possibly including scrapping expensive self-propelled artillery systems in favour of an all-lightweight towed 155mm howitzer fleet.
There are whispers, wholly unconfirmed, that the L17 PO is bending over backwards to encourage KMW. Was this the purpose of the two-month extension to the tender’s closing date?
These vile whispers even point to recent changes in SPH protection levels as accommodating KMW concerns.
But we don’t listen to such talk…
So, although there is still some uncertainty as to KMW’s intentions, the outcome of last September’s RFT, for the supply of the SPH capability, is currently a run-off between the two tracked heavyweights, the Samsung Techwin AS-9, and the KMW PzH 2000.
The former is teamed with Raytheon Australia and the latter with BAE Systems Australia."
Well there you go, and I thought Archer was a fair chance.
Now have I got this right, Rheinmetall have bought a controlling interest in Denel Munitions. Denel will no longer offer the G-6 for Land 17? Interesting.
This being the same Rheinmetall that is part of the KVM Pzh 2000 offer?
I don't like the future of the G-6
I understand that the land 17 RFT is for between 18 to 36 units(?).
According to recent media reports, defence is supposed to be exempt from the current federal government's razor gang. However I'd be surprised if 36 units were purchased.
rb