Australian engineering company RPC Technologies has been pre-awarded a contract by Thales Australia to produce dashboards for the Hawkei armored vehicle.

The pre-production award is worth about $4.7 million.

"RPC has the expertise required for the production of military vehicles," said Thales Australia Chief Executive Officer Chris Jenkins. "Their commitment to excellence in manufacturing and value for money will benefit the Hawkei project, while also securing supply chain skills in Victoria."

Hawkei is a 4x4 light armored vehicle in four variants. The vehicle was designed specifically to meet the needs of the Australian Defense Force.

The government has selected Thales Australia as the preferred provider for supply of a new armored vehicle and six Hawkei vehicles have been delivered to the government for testing.

Thales Australia said work by RPC Technologies is conditional on Thales receiving a long-term government contract to build the vehicles.

In its bid for the award, Thales is leveraging its specialist procurement experience developed during an earlier program to build Bushmaster vehicles to reduce the cost of the Hawkei.

About 120 Australian companies are part of the Bushmaster supply chain.

"RPC is thrilled about the opportunity to work with Thales on the Hawkei project, supplying the dashboard assemblies," said Tony Caristo, managing director of RPC Technologies. "RPC has a history of supporting Thales, having been involved with the Bushmaster program and also Thales Underwater Systems."