Australian Defence Force to sell off thousands of vehicles and other war equipme

[Drache]

Seventy F/A-18 Hornet jet fighters are for sale, but probably not to private buyers. Pity. Picture: Defence Source: Supplied

AUSTRALIANS will soon be able to own, and use, a slice of military history, as a huge sale of second-hand vehicles kicks off the largest disposal of defence equipment since World War II.

A vast range of war fighting kit from machine guns to jet fighters and torpedos to warships will eventually be sold.

Starting in March, up to 12,000 vehicles, including Land Rovers, trucks, semi-trailers, tankers, Unimogs, motorcycles and trailers valued at more than $100 million will be sold by Sydney-based firm Australian National Disposals, trading as Australian Frontline Machinery (AFM).

Most are about 25 years old with 125,000km on the clock and not a bullet hole in sight, in either khaki or a fetching camouflage paint scheme.


But you can get an all-terrain Unimog.

They range in quality from rolled-over write-offs to near-pristine vehicles fitted with premium accessories.

Defence is buying a new vehicle fleet for $7 billion with phase three of the project to deliver about 4600 light to heavy vehicles worth $3.1 billion.

Over the 15 years, the Commonwealth will also sell hundreds of warplanes, warships, helicopters, armoured vehicles, explosives and weapons as it moves to replace 85 per cent of military equipment.


Four-wheel-drive not enough for you? The army has six-wheel-drive variants.

The sale of combat equipment is subject to strict rules to prevent it falling in to the hands of potential enemies or dodgy dictators. Countries such as Fiji, Syria, Yemen and Iran, and companies dealing with such regimes, are on the banned list.

The overall sale of used gear will yield hundreds of millions of dollars that will offset the cost of weapons systems such as new generation submarines and frigates and stealth fighter jets.

The vehicle offering will eventually include 3300 Land Rovers and light vehicles, 2500 light trailers, 2430 medium trucks, 1100 medium-heavy trucks, 110 semi-trailers and 80 low loaders.


Smaller pieces of equipment will also be for sale, as will trailers to cart it all home in. 

The first sale will be held in March using on-line auction house Graysonline when 70 vehicles will go under the virtual hammer.

AFM has a 12,000 square metre undercover facility at Minto in southwest Sydney where the vehicles will be sanitised, upgraded and stored for inspection by potential buyers.

Company spokesman Luke Parker said the vehicles would be thoroughly checked for hazardous materials before being sold under open auction conditions.


Or maybe you'll buy too much to fit in a trailer.

About 1000 will go each year and many of them will be sold with a blue slip for registration and be ready for work.

"They will be sold unreserved so we expect some absolute bargains will be there for those with the cash on the day," Mr Parker said.

Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare said the vehicles would be sold to Australian and overseas buyers to maximise the financial return to the Commonwealth.


And of course, you're going to need fuel...

"A number of vehicles will be reserved and offered exclusively to community and heritage organisations, including the Australian War Memorial, RSLs and other historical organisations," he said.

Interested parties can register their interest with the Defence Disposals Agency at www.defence.gov.au/dda or e-mail disposals@defence.gov.au

THE DEFENCE GARAGE SALE

12,000 vehicles (3300 Land Rovers variants, 2500 light trailers, 2430 medium trucks)

Up to 24 ships; (Landing ships HMAS Manoora and Kanimbla, supply ship, frigates, barges)

70 combat aircraft; (F/A-18 Hornet fighters)

110 other aircraft; (C-130 Hercules, King Air)

* 120 helicopters; (Sea King, Seahawk, Blackhawk)

* 600 armoured vehicles; (Armoured personnel carriers)

* A range of communications systems, weapons and explosive ordnance (M2A2 Howitzers, 30 calibre machine guns, Hamel guns, M60D Machine guns, SLRs, torpedos).

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/australian-defence-force-to-sell-off-thousands-of-vehicles-and-other-war-equipment/story-fncynkc6-1226565344839

[Silver R/T]

Wonder if terrorists will get a hold of these weapons.

[Ponch ®]

are the F-18's RHD or LHD?

[Tilar]

Wonder if terrorists will get a hold of these weapons.

Depends on if they are high bidder. 

are the F-18's RHD or LHD?

No idea, Maybe Fred would know. 

[Ponch ®]

Wonder if terrorists will get a hold of these weapons.

Depends on if they are high bidder. 

its not like Al Gore is selling them...

[mauve66]

so they take your personal weapons then sell military spec to everyone else?? sounds like good government to me.........................................

[Tilar]

Sounds like something ours is trying to do. I think they just voted to give the muslim brotherhood in Egypt four of our F-16's.

[twodko]

Crikes! I want a UniMog and one of those light trailers......Fred please arrange shipment.

[polywideblock]

Crikes! I want a UniMog and one of those light trailers......Fred please arrange shipment.

the unimog is great as long as you don't want to go around corners , aust.army had personnel killed not that long ago in a roll over incident! they are NOT stable

[twodko]

Hell, neither am I! 

[Fred]

Wonder if terrorists will get a hold of these weapons.

Depends on if they are high bidder. 

are the F-18's RHD or LHD?

No idea, Maybe Fred would know. 

Definitely RHD. This country knows how planes should be driven . 

[Fred]

Crikes! I want a UniMog and one of those light trailers......Fred please arrange shipment.

I'm sorry Tom.........Aust Post won't ship anything over 1.5 meters in length. There isn't a chance in hell they can wrap that thing. And if it can't be wrapped..........where will they stick the postage stamp!

[Patronus]

I'd love an '05 Blackhawk! 

[TheGhost]

How much for a Howitzer?  I have a nice spot in my backyard for one.