Rheinmetall today struck the arc on the first weld of materials for the first Australian Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle entering production at Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Ipswich, Queensland. This vehicle will be the first to enter the production line together with initial vehicles from Germany currently being assembled at the site.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk visited Rheinmetall for the milestone event, joined by Deputy Premier Dr Steven Miles, Australian Industry Partners including Bisalloy, Marand, Intellidesign and Rheinmetall’s 600-strong Queensland workforce.
Rheinmetall says the start of production realises the company's goal to support Australia’s Defence Force and its allies with an industrial base in the region.
“This is a very proud day for Queensland’s defence manufacturing capabilities, as our association with Rheinmetall on the $5.2 billion Land 400 Phase 2 project delivers locally built Boxer CRVs," Premier Palaszczuk said.
“Through the delivery of Land 400 Phase 2 and its other projects, our partnership has already created 600 jobs at the Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence, which will be contributing more than $1 billion to the Queensland’s economy in its first 10 years of operation.
“The facility is now the most advanced military vehicle manufacturing facility in Australia.
“Our partnership’s continuing success provides long-term certainty to the current workforce, and greater opportunities through the entire supply chain which impacts many SMEs right across Queensland.”
Rheinmetall has commenced production of the second batch of Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles for the Australian Defence Force.
“Rheinmetall has delivered a first batch of 25 Boxer CRVs to Australia," Nathan Poyner, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia commented. "These initial Boxers were built in Germany, and finalised at MILVEHCOE, joining the more than 2900 HX Trucks that were finalised and are today sustained from the facility.
“This striking of the arc event represents the first of 186 Boxer CRVs that will be built at MILVEHCOE, providing jobs, training and new opportunities for Australians working at Rheinmetall and in the more than 200 Australian Industry Partners across the nation."
The Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle is an advanced, armoured 8x8 vehicle in service with nations including Australia, the United Kingdom and Germany.