The Australian Department of Defence is to release a request for proposals late this year for purchase of a ground-based air defence system to replace the Australian Army's ageing Rapier missile batteries.
The project, Joint 117, won the Australian defence committee's go-ahead, including funding approval, at the end of December. According to the project office, an acquisition strategy is being prepared to support the purchase of a system capable of defending what it calls "one strategic asset".
The programme is expected to secure Australian Government expenditure approval in the 2000 defence budget, and the new system is required to enter service by 2005/2006. The project office puts the budget at more than $A200 million ($124 million).
A market survey carried out by the project office last year drew responses from 11 potential missile suppliers, including Russian state armaments corporation Rosvoorouzhenie, which offered the Tor-M1, Buk-M1 and S-300 PMU1.
US respondents include Boeing, with the Avenger system, and Raytheon, with its ground-launched Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). Raytheon intends to bid in conjunction with ADI.
The joint bid proposes adapting a vehicle-mounted launcher system that was developed for US Marine Corps Humvee vehicles, using it on a mine-protected infantry mobility vehicle developed by ADI and under evaluation by the Australian Army.
Lockheed Martin did not respond to the market survey, but company officials in Australia say that they will compete in the formal tender process.
European competitors include Eurosam, proposing SAMP; Euromissile, offering the Roland M3S; Alenia Difesa, with the Spada 2000; Celsius, with the Bofors BAMSE; Matra BAe Dynamics, with the Rapier FCS/Jernas; Oerlikon Aerospace, with the ADATS; and Thomson-CSF Airsys, with the Crotale NG. South Africa's Kentron is offering the SAHV missile system.
Sensor proposals were put forward by Pilkington Optronics, based around the ADAD infrared alerting system, and Signaal offering the Flycatcher MkII fire control system.
The current capability requirement calls for a 24h, all-weather engagement capability against existing and proposed combat aircraft found in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as any regional stand-off weapons systems.
The new air defence unit would be fully integrated into the Australian air defence system but is also required to be tactically mobile and support its own mobile surveillance sensors.
Source: Flight International
