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The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has taken delivery of its first new Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon cross-country vehicles - the first to be delivered on Australian soil. These first locally delivered vehicles, nine in total, follow on from the initial hand-over of the first two units at the G-Wagon’s factory in Austria, which took place late last year.
All eleven vehicles so far delivered are part of the 1200-strong tactical fleet order placed by the ADF in October 2008, a national undertaking known as “Project Overlander”. As planned, all vehicle units delivered to-date have been both on time and budget.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon military vehicles being delivered to the ADF include:
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Four-wheel-drive station wagons;
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Four-wheel-drive cab-chassis units;
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Six-wheel-drive units in both single- and dual-cab chassis configuration
All vehicles are powered by the German auto-maker’s proven 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine, the popular powerplant fitted to many of the marque’s passenger cars, SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) and vans.
Specific models will be fitted with specialist modules built by Australian engineering firm G. H. Varley, and all model variants are being subjected to a rigorous test regime by the Australian Defence Force prior to full production later this year. Mercedes-Benz will also provide an armour-kit that can be fitted should armoured protection be required.
The delivery of these G-Wagons continues Mercedes-Benz’s long involvement with the Australian Defence Force, which includes the delivery and support of Unimog cross-country trucks, Actros 8x8 fuel tankers, buses and vans.
Mercedes-Benz also recently participated in the ADF’s trial of medium and heavy trucks. The ADF tested a range of Mercedes-Benz trucks including the latest armoured Unimog, four- and six-wheel variants of the Zetros truck, and the massive armoured 8x8 Actros (nicknamed ‘Optimus Prime’ - the animated “Transformer” character - by Canadian soldiers on deployment).
Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific meets the ADF’s specialised military requirements with its resources, component commonality and technical support base – the result of being part of one of the world’s largest and most advanced automotive manufacturers. Mercedes-Benz is confident it can meet all the requirements of the Australian Defence Force with its comprehensive military vehicle range, and its extensive Australian support base.
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