Australia orders 211 armored fighting vehicles "Boxer"

Rheinmetall has been awarded a contract by the Australian government to deliver 211 Boxer armored vehicles with a total value of 2.1 billion EUR (3.3 billion AUD). A corresponding contract has now been signed in Canberra by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Rheinmetall Defence Australia CEO Gary Stewart. The delivery of the state-of-the-art 8×8 all-wheel-drive vehicles is expected to take place between 2019 and 2026.

This contract positions the Düsseldorf-based technology group as a key player in a comprehensive modernization program for the country's armed forces. In Australia, Rheinmetall is represented by its subsidiary Rheinmetall Defence Australia and New Zealand, which has offices in Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Back in 2013, Rheinmetall was tasked with delivering around 2,500 medium and heavy military trucks to Australia totaling 1.1 billion EUR. For the next phase of this project, Rheinmetall was recently selected to deliver an additional approximately 1,000 trucks and 800 modules. Furthermore, Prime Minister Turnbull had already announced in March 2018 the intention of his government to contract Rheinmetall for the delivery of the Boxer.

International Success Product “Boxer”

The Boxer has already been procured by the Bundeswehr and the armed forces in the Netherlands and Lithuania. The Australian armed forces will introduce the Boxer in several variants as part of the “Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle” (CRV) project. The reconnaissance vehicle variants – 133 of the 211 vehicles – will also be equipped with Rheinmetall's highly innovative Lance turret, which features a 30mm weapon.
In 2016, the Boxer CRV was selected in the Australian LAND 400 Phase 2 assessment as one of two candidates for the rigorous evaluation phase. The 8×8 armored vehicle excelled in all categories – protection, mobility, firepower, and leadership.

In the Boxer 8×8 CRV project, Rheinmetall is closely collaborating with the Australian industry and has formed a strong and efficient project team in the country. A significant portion of the industrial value creation in the context of Boxer manufacturing for the Australian armed forces will take place in the customer country. Over 40 Australian companies will be involved in the program.

Great Joy at Rheinmetall AG

Of course, this major contract is a cause for celebration at Rheinmetall. Ben Hudson, Head of the Vehicle Systems Division and Member of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall Defence, stated: “The Boxer is currently the best available armored vehicle due to its capabilities, high level of protection, and modular design. It provides protection against asymmetric threats faced by Australian soldiers in recent operations as well as against conventional attacks during deployment. We will deliver an excellent product to the Australian Army and continue to be a reliable partner.” Gary Stewart of Rheinmetall Defence Australia emphasizes that Rheinmetall is establishing its own competence and manufacturing center in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to carry out the project: “This will contribute to the establishment of an independent military vehicle industry in Australia and reinforce our long-term partnership with the Australian government.” Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, is also thrilled: “It is an honor for us to have been selected by the Australian government as a partner in such a comprehensive project for the modernization of the armed forces. This continues Rheinmetall's successful collaboration with the Australian government and armed forces in an impressive manner. We are delighted to now be able to secure the largest single order in the company's recent history.”

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