A confidential report has criticised the Defence Department following the removal of multi-billion-dollar Israeli-developed technology from army vehicles because of apparent security concerns.
Key points:
- Earlier this year, a cease use directive was issued on the system supplied by Elbit Systems
- Insiders told ABC that there were concerns about Israelis "backdooring the system for information"
- An independent review has in part, criticised the department's handling of the saga
Earlier this year, a "cease use" directive was issued on the "Battle Management System" (BMS) supplied by Elbit Systems, but the company has consistently denied its product poses any espionage risk.
At the time the army began scrapping its high-tech BMS, military insiders told the ABC there were "definite concerns that the Israelis are backdooring the system for information".
The ABC can now reveal an independent review, jointly funded by Defence and Elbit, has in part criticised the department's handling of the expensive saga, which has since generated international headlines.
Sources familiar with the secret report say it singles out Defence's Capability and Sustainment Group (CASG) for mishandling the overall LAND 200 project, which aims to digitise army's command and control systems to better coordinate soldiers in the field.
The Defence Department has declined to answer any questions about the review, but an Elbit spokesperson has confirmed the Israeli-owned company cooperated with the process and hopes to keep working with the Australian military.
"Elbit Systems of Australia (ELSA) has been working with the Australian Defence Force for more than seven years and we are proud of our work to digitise the Australian Army with the Battle Management System (BMS)," an Elbit spokesperson told the ABC.
The spokesperson added that on June 2, a Senate committee heard evidence "from senior Department of Defence officials that there were no specific security issues with our software".
Army Chief Lieutenant General Rick Burr told the parliamentary hearing the decision to pause and withdraw the Elbit system on May 15 was down to "a lack of accreditation of the current version of software, which is due to expire at the end of [June]".
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At the time of the senate hearing, Elbit's managing director, retired major general Paul McLachlan, also declared there was no "security back door" in the Israeli software.
Supplied: George Roberts
)"Unnamed, unsubstantiated sources are the ones that frankly have been responsible for the shrill and hysterical speculation about us being involved in espionage," he told reporters.
Since the scrapping of Elbit's $2 billion BMS, the Australian army has been using an interim product from Danish software provider Systematic, but it remains unclear whether Defence may return to the Israeli technology.
"Elbit Systems of Australia will continue to work with the Department of Defence on the future of the Land 200 Phase 2 program, in addition to preparing our bid for the army's Land 125 Phase 4 Integrated Soldier System tender," a company spokesperson said.
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2021-09-03 20:28:42Z
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