Israel’s Rafael Armament Development Authority lost a $100 million tender for equipping the Australian Armed Forces with Spike missiles. Instead Australia selected the Javelin anti-armor missile made by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, reported the Australian Ministry of Defense.
The selection comes two months after Australia formally launched its Land 40 project for a new shoulder-fired weapon system. The Javelin missiles will replace the Australian army's 84 mm Carl Gustav and the M72 Light-Antitank Weapon (LAW).
Rafael is a developer and producer of advanced interdisciplinary weapon systems for naval, air and ground forces. In addition to ongoing close cooperation with the Israeli army, Rafael provides technology tailored to the needs of a long list of customers including some of the world's leading armed forces.
The Javelin and Spike are also competing for a larger $500 million order to supply missiles to equip the British armed forces.
In May, Britain selected the MBT-LAW anti-tank weapon made by Sweden's Saab over Lockheed Martin's Kestrel to equip Britain's Royal Marines, British Army infantry battalions and the RAF Regiment in a $400 million deal. A selection for the larger anti-tank missile program could take place in the near future. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
