NEWCASTLE FIRM A CONTENDER FOR DEFENCE VEHICLE PROJECT

Newcastle firm, G.H.Varley Pty Ltd, is in the race for more than $100 million work for the supply of vehicles and specialist modules for the Australian Defence Force.

This project, part of  Project Overlander, will revitalise the ADF’s field vehicle fleet by providing enhanced capability and protection.

The preferred vehicle tenderers for the project are DaimlerChrysler Australia/Pacific (for unprotected lightweight and light vehicles) and Stewart & Stevenson Tactical Vehicle Systems, a subsidiary of BAE Systems (for medium and heavy vehicles).

Subject to satisfactory contract arrangements, Varley, as a key subcontractor, would be responsible for development and production of specialist modules, worth about $40 million, for the Daimler Chrysler fleet.

Varley is also one of the potential subcontractors to BAE Systems (Australia) to provide modules for the medium and heavy weight vehicles, with a total value of about $100 million.

Specialist modules are removable kits attached to vehicles for special tasks, including casualty evacuation, personnel carriage, communications, computer services, cargo distribution and reconnaissance.

They increase the availability of important capabilities as, if vehicles fail, the modules can be swapped to other vehicles.

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