Media Release

Defence Acquisition Organisation

INDUSTRY BRIEFINGS FOR NEW DEFENCE WATERCRAFT PROJECT TO BE HELD IN PERTH,
BRISBANE AND CANBERRA NEXT WEEK

The Defence Acquisition Organisation (DAO) is seeking expressions of interest in constructing new amphibious watercraft for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

The Organistion will conduct briefings in three Australian main centres - Perth, Brisbane and Canberra - next week for companies interested in bidding for the work.

The aim of the project is to provide watercraft which will be capable of transporting military vehicles and passengers or equipment weighing up to 50 tonnes and operating either independently or from the amphibious transport vessels, HMA Ships MANOORA or KANIMBLA.

The new craft are expected to provide the ADF with a significantly improved capability to that which could be achieved by the Army's existing LCM-8 landing craft. They will enable the ADF to deploy soldiers and equipment from the amphibious ships and provide support for other military operations in remote coastal areas.

Defence has not determined how many of the new watercraft will be acquired but will invite interested companies to propose numbers which can be provided within the capability requirements of the project. The contract will also include in-service support for the watercraft system.

The new watercraft system is expected to enter service in the period 2002-2003 and the watercraft will be based with 10 Field Support Battalion in Townsville.

The industry briefings, to be conducted by a DAO team, begin in Perth next Monday (11/10). Dates and venues for the briefings are:

Perth - 11 Oct 99 - 10am - 1pm, Broadwater Pagoda Hotel, Como;

Brisbane - 13 Oct 99, 10am - 1pm, Victoria Barracks, Petrie Terrace; and

Canberra - 15 Oct 99, 10am - 1pm, Northbourne House, Turner.

Arrangements are also being made for industry visits to:

Townsville ( to 10 Force Support Battalion) on 26 Oct 99 between 10am and
4pm; and Newcastle (Amphibious Transport) on 28 Oct 99 between 10am and 3pm. Further information:

Zenon Ciciksza (Project Director)
(0416) 060 754

Issued by the Defence Public Affairs Organisation, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT, 2600

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