Marshall Land Systems and Thales Australia Announce MOU on Vehicle Opportunities in Australia

Cambridge, 18th November 2010; In a joint announcement Thales Australia and Marshall Land Systems announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which includes cooperation on vehicle opportunities in Australia, in particular LAND 121 Project Overlander.

The MOU covers areas where the two companies’ capabilities, products and services complement each other, and where their interests can be jointly expanded, especially to provide turnkey solutions. 

The MOU follows close co-operation between Marshall Specialist Vehicles Ltd and Thales UK on successful programs such as the Watchkeeper UAV, and through the close cooperation developed on the Bushmaster Utility vehicles. The MOU will initially be serviced by Marshall Land Systems’ company Marshall Specialist Vehicles (MSV), but will eventually migrate to the new Marshall Land Systems company in Australia Marshall Land Systems Pty Ltd. 

Chris Jenkins, CEO of Thales Australia, said: “Thales Australia is committed to delivering innovative and flexible capabilities to our customers. Marshall Land Systems’ expertise in vehicle modules complements our proven protected mobility credentials; a valuable partnership as we pursue opportunities in our land businesses, as well as other prospects.”

 “Additionally, integrating Marshall Land Systems into our supply chains will help generate employment opportunities in Victoria.” 

Peter Callaghan, Chief Executive of Marshall Land Systems, said: “We are delighted with this relationship. It builds on our core values of Quality and Integrity and reflects the close working and excellent co-operation the two companies have developed over recent years. It will initially concentrate on our Systems Integration, Military Shelters and Vehicle Engineering capabilities. We have already started identifying a whole range of supply partners in Australia, a move which reflects our long term commitment to developing Australian Industry Capability.”

Addressing Marshall Land Systems’ ambitions Peter Callaghan went on to say, “Obviously our first activity is with current Overlander phases, however MLS has had sufficient levels of interest on other programmes to develop this relationship and our new company further for other programmes in Australia and Asia Pacific.”

About Thales

Thales is a global technology leader for the Defence & Security and the Aerospace & Transport markets. In 2009, the company generated revenues of 12.9 billion (equivalent of AUD 22.7 billion) with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 22,500 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. www.thalesgroup.com  

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 2009.

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