Howitzer promise adds extra $2.3bn
EXPANDING a promise to build self-propelled artilleries and next-generation ammunition supply vehicles in Geelong will cost up to $2.3bn, the Defence Department says.
The revelation means the billion-dollar promise made by the Morrison government on the eve of the 2019 election will now cost at least $2.5bn to deliver during the next decade.
Last week when unveiling a $270bn defence spend, the Federal Government committed to build more self-propelled howitzers in Geelong, up from 30 promised last year.
It’s understood at least 12 howitzers will be produced under phase two of the project, in addition to next-generation ammunition supply vehicles.
A Defence Department spokeswoman was tight-lipped on the number of selfpropelled artilleries and ammunition supply vehicles that would be produced under phase two.
“LAND 8116 phase one work will commence in Geelong 2022/2023. LAND 8116 phase two will commence in the late 2020s, with phase three commencing in the early-2030s,” the spokeswoman said.
“The additional regiment of (howitzers and supply vehicles) will be delivered under LAND 8116 phase two at an estimated cost of $1.5bn-$2.3bn.
“The cost band for phase two includes the production of … self-propelled howitzers and armoured ammunition resupply vehicles in Geelong, and the acquisition of additional supporting systems.”
The spokeswoman said the howitzer would provide the ADF with the capability to “strike adversaries at a distance” in “high-intensity conflicts”.
The spokeswoman said that as part of this project a request for information from industry had been completed, with the information being used in an “acquisition and sustainment strategy” that would be considered by the government in the second half of 2020.
Opposition defence spokesman Richard Marles said Labor supported the Federal Government’s move to bolster defence.
“In the midst of an economic crisis, the people of Geelong need these jobs now more than ever and the government must be upfront about when this project will begin in earnest and how many jobs it will deliver,” Mr Marles said
Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson said the “multi-billion-dollar” howitzer project was one of the biggest wins for Geelong “in a generation”.
“The complex work to select the preferred tender is well under way, which demonstrates how little Mr Marles understands about this project. Labor embarrassingly cancelled the howitzer defence project in 2012.”
The Defence Department spokeswoman said the additional regiment of howitzers to be built in Geelong set out in a government plan launched last week had input from defence chiefs.