Land 400 bidder Rheinmetall Defence Australia and Victorian manufacturer Heuch have announced an export agreement that will see the Melbourne-based company’s revolutionary transportable power and dehumidification packs servicing Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicles in Lithuania.
Family-owned Heuch, which has been a supplier to the ADF since shortly after its inception in 1970, will design, develop and manufacture 88 made-to-order mobile units that will increase the lifetime of batteries operating in each vehicle. The mobile unit is placed next to each stationary BOXER and delivers a charge to batteries ensuring it is immediately operational.
The technology, designed at the company’s Dandenong South operations, will also incorporate a dehumidifier that delivers dry air into the interior of the vehicle when it is stationary to eliminate corrosion and mould.
The export agreement will form part of the Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) Project in Lithuania, which will be delivered by ARTEC - a joint venture between Rheinmetall and KMW.
Rheinmetall Defence Australia MD Gary Stewart said a commitment to innovation, capability and high performance enabled Heuch to win the export contract over other international suppliers.
“Heuch has demonstrated how Australian manufacturing capability can open up new and exciting opportunities for local SMEs in offshore markets under our Global Supply Chain agreement.”
“This comes at a critical time for many Australian companies seeking new markets and Rheinmetall’s worldwide leadership in the military vehicles sector will provide a new pathway to global markets.”
Heuch MD Steve Oakley said the company was pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with Rheinmetall and to achieve international recognition for a new product designed and developed in Victoria.
“We heavily leverage our continuing R&D program and our association with Monash University and RMIT University to keep abreast of international trends and opportunities.”
Heuch is an ISO9001:2015 certified Victorian based manufacturing and service company specialising in refrigeration, hybrid-solar and environmental control systems for fixed and mobile systems. The company has 16 direct employees and counts the Royal Australia Air Force, Thales and the Defence Science and Technology Group amongst its select defence customer base.