AUSTRALIA RHEINMETALL: Visit from the Prime Minister

04/03/2024By Redaktion

Boxer Boxer CRV Combat Vehicles Rheinmetall

Rheinmetall, the largest supplier of land vehicles to the Australian Defense Forces, welcomed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the Australian Redbank yesterday.

Albanese visited the eleven-hectare facility in southeast Queensland, which includes production lines, facilities for the manufacture of armored wheeled vehicles, welding facilities, and test tracks.
Nathan Poyner, CEO of Rheinmetall Defence Australia (RDA), said that the visit by Anthony Albanese to the Military Centre of Excellence was meant to celebrate the largest export and import order by the Bundeswehr for over 120 heavy weapon carriers. Delivery of the vehicles is set to begin in 2025.

The Technology Group's Competence Center in Redbank is an important supplier in the security and defense sector for land and naval forces, as well as for ammunition and maritime defense. Rheinmetall employs more than 900 employees in Australia, has high-tech capabilities, and an established production facility in Redbank.

About the Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle/Boxer

This is the proven 8x8 combat vehicle with an armored reconnaissance mission module including the two-man Lance turret. The main weapon is the Rheinmetall MK30-2 ABM automatic cannon, which is also installed in the German Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicle. In addition, it has a multi-role light Anti-Tank Guided Missile System (MELLS), which allows the Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle to also be used for anti-tank missions.

The vehicle is based on the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) of the Australian Army.
"We welcome the close partnership between the Australian and German defense industries, as both countries work together to enhance global security," stated Poyner.

The Boxer is a modern armored 8x8 vehicle that is in service with various armed forces worldwide or is planned for future procurement. The Boxer provides protection for the crew and has a high degree of firepower and mobility for long international operations. In addition to the 211 Boxer vehicles delivered as part of the Land 400 Phase 2 project - including 133 in the CRV variant with the Lance turret - the company also supports the HX fleet of the Australian Defense Forces, which consists of over 2,900 vehicles. Rheinmetall also supplies the Royal Australian Navy with Multi-Ammunition Soft-Kill Systems, manages training systems for the defense sector, and has delivered over 200 HX trucks to the New Zealand Defense Forces.

Poyner added that the development and production of sovereign systems with more than 300 Australian partners reflects advanced manufacturing supported by the Australian government.