DPR 78/97 Monday, 26 May, 1997
TENDERER FOR NIGHT FIGHTING EQUIPMENT CHOSEN
The Minister for Defence, Mr Ian McLachlan, announced today that ITT Night Vision of the US had been chosen as the preferred tenderer to supply the Australian Defence Force with a suite of night fighting equipment.
ITT Night Vision, in partnership with British Aerospace Australia, will supply equipment including night vision goggles, night weapon sights and night aiming devices.
Mr McLachlan further announced that Litton Electro-Optical Systems of the US had been selected as the preferred tenderer to supply night sights for sniper rifles. Together, the contracts were worth more than $100 million.
The equipment purchase is part of the ADF's Project Ninox (named after an Australian owl.) It aims to give the ADF the capability to detect, monitor and engage an enemy force at night, thus enhancing the ability to conduct operations 24 hours a day.
The equipment tendered by ITT Night Vision and Litton Electro-Optical Systems was selected after extensive technical and field tests.
Mr McLachlan said the contracts represented one of many projects aimed at increasing the ADF's combat capabilities.
British Aerospace Australia, based in Adelaide, will be responsible for the assembly and testing of much of the night vision equipment.
The contract is planned to be awarded later this year, with the first deliveries of the night fighting equipment delivered in mid-1998.
Further information:
Lieutenant Colonel Ian Edwardson (06) 265 4065 (bh)