Infrastructure services provider Ventia has won a $158m vehicle upgrade contract with the Australian Department of Defence (DoD).
Ventia has been tasked to upgrade the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) existing fleet of engineering vehicles, delivering an additional 291 vehicles.
These vehicles include cranes, bulldozers, loaders, excavators, telehandlers, rollers, forklifts and graders.
They will be used for several projects such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and to support other amphibious operations.
According to a statement released by the Australian DoD, the project works include construction, demolition, and development of protective earthworks.
Other works include route development and maintenance, airfield and port construction and repair, as well as port operations and distribution.
Australia Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price said that the procurement and sustainment of the Engineer Support Platforms is expected to generate a significant amount of work for businesses in Australia.
It would ‘standardise, rationalise and modernise’ the existing fleet.
The latest contract will create 23 new local jobs while continuing to support the jobs of another 65 Australian workers.
Price said: “I’m so proud of the positive impacts that our A$270bn investment in Australia’s defence capability is bringing to Australian industry.
“This contract is a clear example of the enormous benefits flowing through to small and medium businesses from our investments.
“Australian industry will contribute to the project management, systems engineering, modification, technical documentation, logistics and training elements of the project.
“Local networks and distributors will also be used for the supply of the vehicles.”
Recently, the Australian DoD said it is encouraging industry suppliers to apply for the fourth generation of contracts to deliver services to defence bases.
