BAE Systems wins Australian army deal

LONDON: British defence group BAE Systems said on Friday it has been chosen as the preferred bidder to supply trucks to the Australian army in a deal expected to be worth up to 653 million pounds ($1.33 billion, 941 million euros).

The company beat off DaimlerChrysler and MAN to win the contract to supply more than 3,000 medium and heavy trucks to the Australian Defence Force over a six year period, commencing in 2009.

In addition to equipment, the contract includes technical services and spare parts for the life of the equipment, a statement said.