Agreed on the CV90, it would be ideal for LAND 400. Use the Armadillo as the base vehicle and adopt the various supporting versions to beef up the new CAV regiments. I imagine the ideal would be a mix of Armadillos APCs and CV90 AIFVs in the line Troops and a DFS Troop at Squadron level or maybe a DFS Section and a Mortar Section at Troop HQ. Wait and see although with the change of government I would be surprised if there is yet another delay and review on structure and needs.
Back when I was in the LH in the 90s we used to discuss where things were going with some liking to Bradleys but most preferring the Warriors and CV90s as an M113 replacement. This was back when the Infantry were being motorised with Perenties and were look at being split into a light rec, Mulgara Squadron, and a heavy / medium Rec APC M113 Squadron that would eventually get what ever the M113 replacement was.
Then came to M113 upgrade designed to keep it relevant until replacement in the early 90s once Mulgara and Bush Ranger (Perentie and Bushmaster) had been rolled out. Change in government, LH loses M113 for 4x4 and 6x6 Perenties, Mulgara cancelled, Bushamaster almost cancelled, M113 replacement deferred to the ether and M113 upgrade mutated into one of the biggest procurement clusters ever seen in Australia.
15 years and over a billion dollars to deliver a vehicle offering so little capability over the original just defies comprehension. In fact in terms of capability the fact that armour has been stripped from the reserve CAV units and accordingly APC and armoured support has also bee stripped from the reserve Infantry. The Regular force rely almost exclusively on the Bushmaster which is basically an MRAP and still have nothing remotely resembling an IFV.
