Rheinmetall AG today announced the appointment of Andrew Fletcher as Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia in a significant step that will see Germany’s biggest defence company expand its commitment to the region by establishing a new Australian head office.
Rheinmetall Defence is one of the world’s leading suppliers of defence technology built around three divisions delivering combat systems, military vehicles and electronic solutions. Until today, the company has operated in Australia under the specific direction of business units headquartered in Dusseldorf.
Rheinmetall AG CEO Armin Papperger said Mr Fletcher would work with each of the company’s business units to drive the pursuit of numerous large-scale Australian defence programs under a management structure focused on supporting the Australian Defence Force (ADF) while working alongside Australian industry.
“Rheinmetall Defence has a wide range of business units and products that aren’t locally represented in Australia,” Mr Papperger said.
“But when we look at the needs of the ADF – and especially the Army with our land focus – we see many opportunities to deliver a capability and support that will add to Australia’s national security.
“This is the driving force behind the establishment of Rheinmetall Defence Australia as a local hub.
“As such, we are now formally tracking more than twenty separate programs where we believe we have the technology, products and capability that could be of interest to the Australian Defence Force.”
Mr Fletcher’s appointment also enables the full integration of senior Australian personnel into Rheinmetall Defence’s global corporate organisation including senior management and key personnel. The company already has a significant footprint in Australia through its wheel vehicle division and electronic solutions division.
In 2013, the Australian Defence Force contracted Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV) of Germany, a joint venture company of Rheinmetall AG and MAN Truck & Bus AG, to supply it with an extensive fleet of 2500 advanced logistical vehicles under a contract valued at $A1.58 billion. The first vehicles of “Land 121” Phase 3B are set to be delivered in 2016, with the contract due for completion in 2020.
Mr Fletcher is an engineer who has worked in industry across various senior management roles including global head for an international engineering division and was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of Defence SA. In this role Mr Fletcher was responsible for attracting defence industry investment into South Australia through highly successful campaigns over a nine year period.During his time in industry Mr Fletcher has also served on numerous advisory boards and councils including those governing Flinders University and the the Defence Systems Innovation Centre. He has also served as Chair of the Legacy Torch Appeal.
“Rheinmetall Defence is a dominant force in the global defence industry,” Mr Fletcher said.
“We have a growing capability in Australia that can add to the national security of Australia in the region and ensure this is an enduring capability for the nation.
“I am committed to building on Rheinmetall Defence’s impeccable reputation as one of the world’s leading suppliers of ground forces technology by growing our position in the Australian market through strong relationships with our customer, with industry and with our suppliers.”
For more information:
Oliver Hoffmann Head of Public Relations Rheinmetall AG Phone: +49 211 473-4748
Richard Sproull Rheinmetall Defence Australia 0418585517