Manitou Delivers Early on ADF’s Mammoth Land 8120 Order
Manitou Australia hosted a closing ceremony at its Lidcombe headquarters to mark the successful completion of deliveries to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) under the Land 8120 project, in partnership with Ventia. The milestone celebrates the conclusion of one of the largest material-handling projects in the company’s history.
The Land 8120 project, awarded by the Department of Defence to Ventia and its industrial partners, aims to replace and modernise the Australian Army’s fleet of engineering support vehicles. These include cranes, telehandlers, forklifts, and other materials-handling equipment essential for mobility, construction, and sustainment operations both in Australia and abroad.
As part of the project, Manitou Group supplied a tailored fleet of all-terrain forklifts and telehandlers engineered for military applications, providing enhanced performance, reliability, and safety in demanding environments. The project was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget, highlighting the strong collaboration between Manitou’s engineering and service teams, Ventia, and the Australian Defence Force.
“The Land 8120 project is a testament to what can be achieved through true partnership,” said Stuart Walker, Managing Director of Manitou Australia. “Working closely with Ventia and the Department of Defence, we’ve delivered world-class machines that meet the highest operational standards while strengthening industrial collaboration between France and Australia.”
The event brought together representatives from the Australian Department of Defence, Ventia, and the French diplomatic and business community, including: Mr David Moffatt (Chairman of Ventia), Mr Mark Ralston (Group Executive – Defence & Social Infrastructure at Ventia), Mr John Rogers (Executive General Manager Defence at Ventia), Mr Gilles Barrier (Consul General of France in Sydney), Ms Françoise Merit (Chair, French Foreign Trade Advisors in Australia), Ms Inès Abderahmane (Head of Economic Department, French Embassy), Mr François Matraire (Country Director for Australia, Business France), and Mr Jérôme Fournand (General Manager, FACCI – French-Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry).
Guests toured the Manitou premises in Lidcombe and attended presentations highlighting the project’s innovation, local support, and training initiatives that contributed to its success.
“We’re proud that Manitou’s expertise in rough-terrain equipment has contributed to the Defence Force’s capability and readiness,” said Jean-Philippe Gilbert, Marketing & Communications Manager at Manitou Australia. “Beyond the machines themselves, this collaboration reflects the shared values of innovation, trust, and partnership between France and Australia.”
Stuart Walker (Manitou Australia)
The ceremony concluded with a symbolic handover and a toast to the enduring friendship between France and Australia.
About the Land 8120 Project:
The Land 8120 project is part of the Australian Army’s initiative to modernise its heavy and medium engineering vehicle fleets. Managed by Ventia on behalf of the Department of Defence, the project involves the acquisition and support of new-generation vehicles and equipment for field operations, construction, and sustainment. The project delivers more than 300 specialised vehicles and logistics platforms through Ventia and its partners. It enhances the Army’s operational readiness and support capability through modern, rugged, and versatile equipment.
