ADA scores lucrative contract

MELBOURNE: A Victorian-based defence apparel specialist has beaten 16 domestic and international companies to score an $80 million contract to supply body armour to Australian troops.

Australian Defence Apparel, a service provider for military and civilian authorities, supplies a number of local and global clients including the British police, Thai military and Indian firefighters. It is believed a total of 80 new jobs would be created at the Australian Defence Apparel plant as a result of the new tender.

The parliamentary secretary for defence procurement, Greg Combet, said Australian Defence Apparel scored the contract because it had the best products at a competitive price and was able to deliver the body armour on time.

Combet said he was confident the first deliveries would start to take place in May.