Overview:

This phase of the project is delivering two new types of direct fire support weapons to Army's Infantry Battalions, Special Forces and Royal Australia Air Force Airfield Defence Guards. The systems include:

• The M3 Carl Gustaf medium direct fire support weapon fitted with a Heavy Weapon Thermal Sight.
• A Light Weight Automatic Grenade Launcher fitted with a night sight and a fire control system.

Prime Contractors:

• Medium Direct Fire Support Weapons: SAAB Bofors Dynamics.
• Heavy Weapon Thermal Sight: BAE Systems Australia.
• Light Weight Automatic Grenade Launcher: A contract is yet to be signed for this capability.

Current Status

M3 Carl Gustaf Weapons and Heavy Weapon Thermal Sights

• In November 2009 a contract was signed with SAAB Bofors Dynamics for 437 M3 Carl Gustaf Weapons.
• In December 2009 a contract was signed with BAE Systems Australia for 437 Heavy Weapon Thermal Sights for fitment to the M3 Carl Gustaf.
• Defence has now taken delivery of all 437 weapons and sights with roll-out to entitled units completed in October 2011.
• Australia is the first country to use both the weapon and sight as an integrated weapon system providing an effective firepower and night fighting capability.

Light Weight Automatic Grenade Launcher

• Defence cancelled contract negotiations with the preferred tenderer for the Light Weight Automatic Grenade Launcher because an agreement could not be reached.

The project was listed as a Project of Concern by government in December 2012. Defence is currently developing a revised acquisition strategy for Government consideration.

Point of Contact

LAND 40 Phase 2 - Direct Fire Support Weapons
Armament Systems Program Office
Integrated Soldier Systems Branch
Land Systems Division
Defence Materiel Organisation
Victoria Barracks Melbourne
256-310 St Kilda Road
SOUTHBANK VIC 3006
Australia