Why are they selling the army fleet?

[Summiitt]

Given the amount of debt Australia is in, can someone tell me why the army fleet is being upgraded? Is it something to do with a 30 yr contract ending?
Im just waiting for the right mack 6x6 to purchase and after viewing vehicles in both Sydney and Brisbane I can't help but thinking that a lot of these vehicles don't need upgrading. Brilliant service history, low km and the macks that I'm looking at are in great condition..same said for a lot of the unimogs and land rovers..if it's a service or operational issue from soldiers, fair enough, but when you consider the parts stock, tyres, trailers and other items that will need upgrading it seems like a bit of wasted money..?

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Because they are almost 30 years old and past the end of the parts supply contract. The cost of getting out of the G-Wagon contract would be worth more than they'll get for the whole perentie fleet.

You obviously didn't look at the non-operational Macks which have often been used to donor parts for the operational ones.

Diana

[Mick_Marsh]

They are old. The equipment needs upgrading for what we expect our troops to do.
I'm sure there are any black powder rifles in excellent condition out there that are cheaper than the F88 Austeyr assault rifle but hardly as good for a soldier.
To tell you the truth, I'm embarrassed we send our troops out in soft top Landrovers. I think ASLAVs, Bushmasters and Hawkeis are much better vehicles for our troop in todays warfare.

[Disco Muppet]

To tell you the truth, I'm embarrassed we send our troops out in soft top Landrovers. I think ASLAVs, Bushmasters and Hawkeis are much better vehicles for our troop in todays warfare.

Except we don't?
With the exception of the 6X6 the perenties wouldn't have seen active combat would they?
Then when IEDs started becoming a real headache, the SASR traded the 6B perenties for Bushmasters.

[Mick_Marsh]

Except we don't?
With the exception of the 6X6 the perenties wouldn't have seen active combat would they?
Then when IEDs started becoming a real headache, the SASR traded the 6B perenties for Bushmasters.

And that is why they're selling the Perentie fleet.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

At least Australia is returning its vehicles back to Australia. The US is over 3 trillion dollars in debt and they are cutting up several billion dollars worth of vehicles and shipping it out of the sand pit as metal scrap.

[JamesB71]

America has a domestic vehicle manufacturing industry to consider.

[Davehoos]

the fleet is being updated for economic stimulation.
that was in the press release.

given low interest rates its the best time to invest in the next 30 years.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

America has a domestic vehicle manufacturing industry to consider.

Are you suggesting that Thales and others don't make armoured military vehicles in Australia?

It likely also has to do with the risks of bringing back thousands of vehicles through Afghanistan and tribal areas of Pakistan. The question might be: Is it worth losing more young men and women bringing home second hand equipment?

[Summiitt]

I can understand and fully support frontline upgrades...i can't see the value in local base, day to day replacement units.... How many Mack trucks have seen active service in the last ten yes..?