31 August 2009
Israeli company Plasan Sasa - the world leader in armour and
survivability systems for military vehicles - is partnering with Thales - a
global technology leader for the defence market - to develop a new Light
Protected Vehicle for the Australian Army and the international market.
Under Defence project Land 121 Phase 4, the Australian
Department of Defence will procure 1,300 PMV-L vehicles and trailers to replace
Army's existing fleet of Landrovers. This program will procure four Protected
Mobility Vehicles - Light (PMV-L) variants - Command, Liaison, Reconnaissance
and Utility - all offering very high levels of protection from small arms fire,
mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Deliveries are expected to begin
in 2013.
Thales's Land & Joint Systems Division has significant
expertise in military and specialist vehicles including combat proven wheeled
armoured vehicles, land mine protection technology, high mobility engineering
vehicles and all terrain fire fighting vehicles.
Plasan specialises in the development and manufacture of
armour systems for the military and commercial market using composite material
technologies. The company provides a vast range of systems for military armour
and commercial clients worldwide.
"The new partnership between Thales and Plasan leverages
world's best practice to provide real Australian capability on the global
stage, and creates a team well-equipped to take on local and international
challengers," said Ian Irving, Thales Australia's Land & Joint
Systems Division Vice President.
"Thales and Plasan are bringing the very best design
and armour technologies to the project. Plasan's strengths, combined with our
many years of experience with the successful Bushmaster program here in Australia,
offer the Defence Materiel Organisation and the Australian Defence Force a
strong team with unrivalled expertise.
"Plasan is adding considerable capability to the
Australian project team in protection system design, rapid prototyping, and
testing and evaluation for our next generation vehicle development for Australia's
Protected Mobility Vehicle - Light (PMV-L) requirement."
Plasan VP international sales and marketing Noam Hen said:
"After extensive analysis of the market, we came to a very clear
conclusion that Thales was the only company able to design and manufacture
world class protected mobility vehicles in Australia."
"The success of the Bushmaster shows Thales can deliver
effective solutions to the Australian Defence Force, and we are looking forward
to incorporating our technologies and expertise into their next generation
vehicle."
About Plasan
Plasan provides customized survivability solutions for
tactical wheeled vehicles, fixed and rotary wing aircraft, naval platforms,
personal protection and civilian armour vehicles. A recognized global leader
and industry veteran, Plasan's survivability solutions offer a unique
optimization between protection, payload, and cost by combining in-house
R&D, design, prototyping, and manufacturing capabilities.
Plasan has an impressive history of successful cooperation
with local companies throughout the markets in which it is active and can play
different roles in the manufacturing process. From "Build-to-Print"
and "Add-on Armors" to a more comprehensive position in "Cab
Replacement" and "Chassis-up" projects, up to a "Complete
Hull Design". It is a preferred supplier to the Israel Defense Forces and
an approved supplier to Ministries of Defence around the world, with production
facilities in Israel,
US and France.
About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace,
Space, Defence, Security and Transportation markets. In 2008, the company
generated revenues of 12.7 billion euros (equivalent of AUD22.1 billion) with
68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers,
Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems
and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an
exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working
with customers as local partners.
Thales Australia
is a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force and is also present in
commercial sectors ranging from air traffic management to security systems and
services. Employing around 3,500 people in over 35 sites across the country,
Thales Australia
recorded revenues of more than AUD1 billion in 2008.
Press contacts
Libby Noble
Thales Australia
+61 (0)2 9562 3150
+61 (0)434 155 881
libby.noble@thalesgroup.com.au
Michael Piha
Plasan
+ 972 54 2872245
michaelp@plasan.com