Krauss Maffei-Wegmann (KMW) has partnered with BAE Systems Australia in a move to strengthen their bid for the Australian Army’s Land 17 Artillery Replacement program.

Under the partnership, they will establish a KMW certified facility in Australia to support the PzH 2000, a leading contender for the protected self propelled 155mm howitzer requirement of the Land 17 program.

The PzH 2000 is an advanced, automated and mature artillery system currently in service with four European nations. It’s formidable fire power has recently been demonstrated in Operation Medusa in Afghanistan, where the Dutch Army artillery units equipped with PzH 2000’s have provided fire support for the Australian Operation Slipper task force and other coalition forces.

KMW has a long association with the Australian Army through the Leopard’s distinguished service as Australia’s Main Battle Tank for nearly three decades. KMW is keen to modernize the Army’s Combat Support artillery regiments with the advanced and proven in service PzH 2000 protected self propelled howitzer to provide quantum leaps in fire power effects, range and accuracy. Adding to the effectiveness of these capability improvements will be enhanced artillery platform mobility and survivability. KMW’s teaming with BAE Systems will enable the full capabilities of the PzH 2000 to be maintained at high readiness and availability levels to support the Australian Army’s increased operational tempo and expeditionary demands.

This partnering agreement brings together the two most experienced developers and suppliers of tubed artillery systems in the world. It provides the Australian Defence Force with the most modern, mature,in-service protected self propelled and M777 light weight towed artillery platforms, ideal for Land 17. The agreement also marks BAE Systems return as a major player in land systems in Australia and signifies the company’s enduring commitment to hardening and supporting the Australian Army.

The PzH 2000 is a modern and precise 155 mm/52 calibre weapon system with complete autonomy of the overall system in driving, navigation and firing, and system-derived stability enable individual options previously unfeasible in tube artillery systems. The system is highly automated in fusing, loading, laying and firing, enabling a crew of three to perform the manoeuvre and fire support mission. The capacity of the on board automatic ammunition storage and handling system is 60 rounds. Reliability, endurance and deployability are enhanced by a 360° effective range at all elevations, a firing range > 40 km, a cadence of up to 10 rounds per minute, and high tactical mobility. Thus, the PzH 2000 forms an essential element in combat support, both now and in future combat and crisis scenarios.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG Europes market leader for armoured wheeled and tracked vehicles. At sites in Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and the United States 2.800 employees develop, produce and support a product portfolio that ranges from airtransportable and highly protected wheeled vehicles (MUNGO, DINGO, FENNEK und BOXER), to reconnaissance, air defense and artillery systems (FENNEK, GEPARD, PzH 2000 and AGM) all the way to main battle tanks (LEOPARD 1 and 2), infantry fighting vehicles (PUMA) and bridge layers (LEGUAN und PSB2). Furthermore KMW possesses a broad system competence in the field of civil and military simulation, command and control applications and fully automatic remote controlled gun mounts. The armed forces of more than 30 nations worldwide rely on operational systems supplied by KMW.

BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defence and aerospace company, delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With more than 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems had 2006 sales that exceeded $US25 billion.

BAE Systems Australia is a company committed to being the Australian Defence 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 defence, mission support systems and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. It employs approximately 2,600 people and supports customers at more than 50 locations across the country.

Sergyi Way
22.03.2007

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