The first of the fleet of new Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) has been unveiled at a ceremony at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane.
The 211 new Boxer 8x8 CRVs will be delivered by Rheinmetall Defence Australia under the $5 billion Land 400 Phase 2 Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability program.
ADM revealed that the first Boxers had arrived in Brisbane in July.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said the new vehicles, with their high levels of protection, firepower and mobility, will provide a world-class capability to the Australian Army.
“[These vehicles] will be able to undertake a range of missions from regional stability and peacekeeping through to high-threat operations, and will provide improved safety to Australian soldiers on deployment and on exercises around the world," Minister Reynolds said.
“This project presents an exciting opportunity for Australian industry to play a vital role in delivering leading-edge capability and technology to Australia’s Army,” Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said.
Over the 30-year life of the vehicles, Australian industry will secure $10.2 billion of the total investment in acquiring and maintaining the fleet.
Minister Price also announced an additional seven small businesses that have been contracted by Rheinmetall as suppliers for the first 25 Boxer vehicles:
- Brisbane-based Frontline Manufacturing: supplying prototype bracketry.
- Sydney-based Precision Metal Group Australia: supplying prototype bracketry.
- Burnie-based Direct Edge: supplying prototype bracketry.
- Melbourne-based MoTeC: supplying information data logging, IT connections and system support.
- Sydney-based Axalta: supplying specialist paint and paint supply products.
- Melbourne-based Hilton Manufacturing: supplying prototype bracketry.
- Brisbane-based Rockpress: supplying mine blast protection plates.
This brings to a total of 12 small businesses across Australia who will contribute to the Boxer program.
The first 25 vehicles will be assembled in Germany and delivered to Australia as part of technology transfer activities to familiarise Australian workers and suppliers on the specific manufacturing techniques of these vehicles.
The remaining vehicles will be assembled at Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence facility in Redbank, near Ipswich, using companies located across Australia.