Landmark Manitou delivery to Australian army

The ceremony was attended by leading members of the Australian Defence Force, Land 8120 project, Department of Defence, Ventia and Manitou Austrlia. (Image: Manitou).

Manitou Australia has delivered 103 heavy-duty telehandlers and rough-terrain forklifts to the Australian Department of Defence, representing one of the largest material-handling projects in the company’s history.

The deal was officially announced during a ceremony at the company’s Lidcombe headquarters in Sydney to mark the completion of deliveries to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) under the Land 8120 project, in partnership with infrastructure services specialist Ventia.

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.

One of the telehandlers at Manitou Australia’s headquarters. (Image: Manitou).

These include cranes, telehandlers, forklifts, and other materials-handling equipment essential for mobility, construction, and sustainment operations both in Australia and abroad.

Tailored fleet for military applications 

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, said the company.

“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.”

Members of the Australian Defence Force joined other stakeholders. (Image: Manitou).

Guests, which included leaders from all relevant organisations, 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.”