A mix of protected self propelled and light weight towed guns will replace Army’s current 105mm and 155mm artillery pieces.

Government has granted First Pass Approval to acquire the new, more capable artillery systems under Project Land 17.

Enhanced capabilities will include longer range, improved precision, networked command and fire control system, greater mobility and better crew protection.

Capability Development Group Director General Land Development, Brigadier Paul Retter, said a decision was made to limit consideration of self propelled howitzers to protected systems and towed howitzers to the light weight 155mm towed howitzers.

‘Selection has been limited to protected and light weight systems based on feedback from coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and taking into account the requirement for the 3rd Brigade’s artillery batteries to be capable of rapid strategic and tactical deployment, including deployment by CH-47D Chinook helicopter, especially in an amphibious environment,’ Brigadier Retter said.

Defence has been working closely with industry to identify companies that can provide artillery systems with the level of capability sought.

DMO Project Director Land 17, LTCOL Steve Hume, said a number of Australian companies and overseas equipment manufacturers have teamed to compete for the tender.

DMO expects to release an open request for tender in late 2006. This will include the acquisition and through life support of the artillery systems.

The new systems will cost between $450 million and $600 million and will be brought into service between 2011 and 2013.