Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is set to announce a key piece of Australia's future defence force capability: about 1000 armoured vehicles.
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Fairfax Media understands the decision has been taken to go ahead with the awarding of a contract for tough Hawkei land vehicles made by the firm Thales.
They are equipped to keep troops safe on the battlefield from a wide array of threats including improvised explosive devices.
The contract is expected to be worth at least $1 billion, with the successful tenderer expected to be announced on Monday at a facility on the outskirts of Melbourne.
It is a sign of the significance of the announcement, that the Prime Minister will accompany the new Defence Minister Marise Payne for its unveiling.
The Hawkei will be built at the same Bendigo plant where the venerable Bushmaster was manufactured. The Bushmaster with its uniquely blast-proof undercarriage to thwart improvised explosive devices has kept Australian troops safe in Afghanistan.
Thales was vying against two other bidders, Force Protection's Ocelot and General Dynamics' Eagle IV.
Correction: An earlier version of this article contained a number of errors about Mr Turnbull's announcement expected later on Monday. The article has been changed to reflect the new information.
