OSHKOSH, Wis. — July 20, 2009 — Leading defence company Thales has joined with Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), manufacturers of heavy duty, all-wheel drive, military trucks, to submit seven vehicles to the Australian Department of Defence for Comparative Evaluation Testing as part of Australia’s Land 121 ‘Overlander’ program.
Phase 3 of the Overlander program seeks to upgrade the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) fleet with more than 3,000 light, medium and heavy military vehicles, as well as approximately 3,000 trailers. Thales Australia and Oshkosh Defense are competing for the Medium/Heavy Capability segment of Phase 3, which seeks to procure more than 2,000 Military Off The Shelf (MOTS) trucks.
The Land 121 ‘Overlander’ program is undergoing a refresh and Comparative Evaluation Testing of all tenderer’s vehicles following changes to ADF requirements. Comparative testing is expected to be conducted through October 2009.
Oshkosh Defense is submitting five variants based on its U.S. Marine Corps Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) platform for Comparative Evaluation Testing alongside two Thales Bushmaster Single Cab vehicles, which are variants of the combat-proven Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle.
“Oshkosh Defense and Thales Australia bring to this program the best military logistic vehicles for the ADF fleet,” said Andy Hove, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. “The MTVR is combat proven, operating successfully with U.S. forces in a number of different combat operations. Its exceptional off-road mobility means no mission is out of reach.”
“Every soldier deserves the highest level of protection,” said Chris Jenkins, Thales Australia’s Managing Director. “Together, Thales Australia and Oshkosh Defense can provide the ADF with a vehicle range that offers exceptional crew protection, mobility, combat flexibility and reliability.
“The Thales Bushmaster has served the Australian and Dutch armed forces successfully in operational deployment, protecting and saving lives during numerous incidents.”
The Thales Bushmaster family of vehicles are highly mobile, mine and improvised explosive device (IED) blast-resistant military vehicles. The Bushmaster vehicles support troops across a diverse range of operational tasks including troop movement, command and control, engineer support and medi-vac.
The Oshkosh® MTVR family of vehicles consists of highly protected, all-terrain, multipurpose logistics vehicles used by the U.S. Marine Corps, Navy Seabees and U.K. MoD. The MTVR is produced in several variants to transport troops, materials or equipment. It offers high levels of protection through the addition of proven survivability enhancement kits, with potential to further grow this capability, a capability which is seen as critical to the ADF’s future operational roles. Incorporation of Oshkosh’s TAK-4® independent suspension system gives the MTVR superior off-road mobility, load capacity and ride quality in comparison to straight-axle vehicles. More than 1,500 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles are being equipped with the TAK-4 system to provide improved mobility in Afghanistan.
About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Space, Defence, Security and Transportation markets. In 2008, the company generated revenues of 12.7 billion euros (equivalent of AUD22.1 billion) with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners. www.thalesgroup.com
Thales Australia is a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force and is also present in commercial sectors ranging from air traffic management to security systems and services. Employing around 3,500 people in over 35 sites across the country, Thales Australia recorded revenues of more than AUD1 billion in 2008.
About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For more information, visit oshkoshdefense.com.
About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, BAI™, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. The Oshkosh brands are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, log on to www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.
