A family-owned engineering company based in Port Macquarie has been awarded an $8.47 million contract to deliver the Australian Defence Force’s next generation rough terrain vehicle fleet, providing a boost to the local economy.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the contract with Bale Defence to build 40 vehicles would create six new jobs in Port Macquarie and support the ongoing employment of another 18 Australian workers, injecting $6.17 million into the local economy. “The rough terrain vehicle provides an important tactical, light, all-terrain land capability used by the ADF on operations and exercises both in Australia and overseas,” Price said. “Bale Defence provided the first generation of rough terrain vehicles to the ADF. This contract ensures Australia can continue to manufacture, modernise and enhance this critical capability locally, to meet our Defence Force’s evolving requirements. This contract is an excellent example of the benefits of our Defence industry partnerships for both the ADF and Australian businesses. Our Defence industry partnerships will only continue to grow and strengthen with our government’s $270 billion investment in Defence capability over the next decade.”
Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said the contract with Bale Defence was yet another example of regional Australia leading the charge for innovation and technology. “I’m not at all surprised that a project of this calibre has come out of the Cowper electorate on the Mid North Coast,” Conaghan said. “We’re an innovative bunch, and to see that ingenuity rewarded like this is fantastic news for our region. Huge congratulations to Bale Defence for the recognition of excellence by securing this exciting contract, and I look forward to seeing the project come to fruition.”
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