Thales Opens Australian Soldier Systems Development and Support Centre

Deputy Chief of Army Major General Paul Symon today opened Thales's Australian Soldier Systems Development and Support Centre at Lithgow, NSW.>> The event marks an important development in the type of work carried out at the strategically significant site.>> Previously focused on the precision manufacturing of small arms, Thales will now offer a wider range of services including engineering, design, procurement, logistics and project management to the Defence Materiel Organisation and international customers.>> The new strategy is designed to offer the best possible support as the Australian Defence Force undergoes its own transformation under the Adaptive Army and other initiatives.>> "Thales's Soldier Systems business is moving beyond pure manufacturing and becoming an even more flexible and customer-focused operation," said Chris Jenkins, Thales Australia's managing director. "We can integrate the latest technologies into various weapons platforms, and help shape how the soldier of the future will be able to operate.">> The ADF's current standard issue assault rifle, the F88 Austeyr, is made in Lithgow and has been in service since 1989. Thales recently signed a contract to deliver the initial design and production prototypes for a next generation enhanced F88 integrated rifle system.>> The company has also been contracted to refurbish existing rifles to produce an upgraded Austeyr, known as the F88SA2. Already in production, it provides greater capability to ADF personnel while filling a short term capability gap until the enhanced F88 becomes available. These contracts will ensure the ADF continues to be equipped with the best available small arms weapons system for the protection of its servicemen and women on deployment around the world.