BAE Systems to open new Aussie office

ADELAIDE, Australia, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- BAE Systems is opening a new project office in Adelaide, Australia, the company said Friday.

The announcement came the same day Australian Defense Minister Brendan Nelson said the company was the preferred bidder for a huge contract worth up to $1.3 billion to provide a new generation of medium and heavy trucks for the Australian army.

BAE Systems said its Land 121 project office would be set up in Adelaide.

“Being close to the future location of the 7 RAR battalion group was an important factor in our choice of location,” said Denny Dellinger, president of BAE Systems and Protection Systems.

“With an already strong presence in Australia, an important home market for our company, we have plenty of capacity in Adelaide to establish our Land 121 team and embed the technology needed to provide cost effective through life support providing skilled jobs for many years,” Dellinger said.

BAE Systems Mobility and Protection Systems, formerly Armor Holdings and Stewart & Stevenson, "has produced more than 38,000 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles -- FMTV -- for the U.S. Army and other defense forces around the world since 1991," the company said.

BAE Systems said its Land and Armaments business had "now established a clear global leadership position."

"The company is well placed to seek further growth opportunities in the support and utility sectors of the land systems market globally, in addition to both current wheeled and tracked vehicle programs and new requirements," it said.

BAE Systems said its Australian operation was "committed to being the Australian Defense Force’s through-life capability partner in integrated military systems and support solutions. It combines key skills in engineering and systems integration and is a leading provider of communications, electronic warfare systems, military air support, air defense, mission support systems and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance."

"The company employs approximately 2,700 people in Australia and supports customers at more than 50 locations" in Australia, it said.