The first four M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers (M113AS4) built by Tenix Aerospace and Defence have been accepted into service with the Australian Army's 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (Mechanised Infantry), during a ceremony in Darwin.

These are the first of 350 vehicles procured under Project LAND 106 which is aimed at upgrading the Army's in-service M113A1 vehicles. The upgrade provides significant enhancements in protection, firepower and mobility while also providing improved supportability.

There are seven variants of the M113AS4 being produced. The first four are the Armoured Personnel Carrier (M113AS4 APC). The designation AS4 (Australian Version 4) refers to the upgraded capability of the vehicle to the Australian standard as well as its increased carrying capacity. 171 APC variants will be upgraded to the 18-tonne M113AS4 standard.

Tenix
16.11.2007