Australian Defence Magazine reports that Australian Army awarded three contracts with a total value of about $2.2 million to two domestic arms and equipment manufacturing companies. Here is how the publication describes the process of submission and selection of these projects:

These contracts were selected as part of Army Innovation Day 2017, utilising the new Special Notice platform managed by the Defence Innovation Hub. Special Notices allows capability managers to call for industry and research organisations to submit proposals in response to specific capability challenges.

Australian soldiers from the 2nd Royal Australian Regiment execute a security halt on the beach as part of an amphibious assault utilizing Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Crafts at Fog Bay during exercise Talisman Sabre 15, in the Northern Territory, Australia. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Gunnery Sgt. Ricardo Morales/Released)

DefendTex is the company that was awarded two contracts valued at  $1,040,000 and $957,000 for development of a new lightweight modular shotgun system and low profile combat body armor respectively. The second company is Thales Australia which was awarded a $227,000 contract for development of an advanced optical sight for the F88 rifle. The new sight is supposed to provide “enhanced targeting capability and shooter accuracy on operations“.

Australian Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne said that it is encouraging to see such an example of partnership between the Army, Defence Innovation Hub, and industry which is aimed to the enhancement of the country’s defensive capabilities. Mr. Pyne also said:

These contracts support the development of innovative solutions to challenges of novel weapons and novel effects in a combined arms team in a joint environment.

An Australian soldier attached to Task Group Taji demonstrates how to tactically move to Iraqi soldiers with the 34th Armored Brigade at Camp Taji, Iraq, June 18, 2016. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joshua Powell/Released)

At this moment there are no details published concerning the exact requirements for the arms and equipment that the Australian Army wants to be developed. We will be following the developments around these project and will report to our readers as soon as any additional information is disclosed.

Sources:

“Defence Innovation contracts for shotguns and sights”. (2018, June 22). Australian Defence Magazine. Retrieved from: http://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/defence-innovation-contracts-for-shotguns-and-sights

Images from Wikimedia Commons