Cook Defence Systems partners with Rheinmetall in bid for Australia's Land 400 Phase 3 project

UK-based company Cook Defence Systems announced on 27 May that it will provide its TR40 tracks for Rheinmetall's Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) should the platform be selected for the Australian Army's Project Land 400 Phase 3, also known as the Mounted Close Combat Capability requirement.

The firm said in a statement that it had been selected by Rheinmetall in its bid for the AUD18.1–27.1 billion (USD14–21 billion) project. “Our proposed TR40 track will have a strong contribution from Australian industry thanks to our long-standing partnership with Mackay Rubber in Victoria,” said the company in a statement.

A Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 IFV used for RMA trials in Australia fitted with Cook Defence Systems TR40 tracks. (Cook Defence Systems)

The KF41 is undergoing ‘risk mitigation activity' (RMA) trials in Australia after being shortlisted for Land 400 Phase 3 alongside Hanwha Defense's Redback IFV.

The three KF41s being trialled in Australia have all been equipped with TR40 tracks, said the company, adding that these tracks are also being fitted to KF41s under construction for other customers. The tracks are also being used by the British Army's next-generation AJAX vehicles being built by General Dynamics UK, added the company.

Project Land 400 Phase 3 is aimed at providing and supporting up to 450 tracked IFVs and 17 manoeuvre support vehicles that will be built in Australia.

These will replace the Australian Army's obsolescent M113AS4 armoured personnel carriers (APCs), which, although upgraded in recent years, date from the mid-1960s.