Rheinmetall's Military Vehicle Competence Center in Australia

Rheinmetall has opened its new Military Vehicle Competence Center in Redbank, Queensland, Australia. The Military Vehicle Center of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) will establish an independent national capability for the development, production, and maintenance of military vehicles, platforms, and turrets for the Australian Defense Force, as well as for export to friendly nations.

The MILVEHCOE was officially opened on October 11, 2020, by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The opening ceremony was attended by numerous representatives from national and regional politics, the military, and the defense industry, following pandemic safety measures.

The MILVEHCOE is at the heart of an 11-hectare site, which also houses a regional Rheinmetall headquarters and a large manufacturing facility. Vehicles such as the Boxer 8×8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) for the Australian Defence Force under the multi-billion-dollar Land 400 Phase 2 project and highly mobile logistic vehicles (trucks) under the ongoing Land 121 Phase 3B/5B programs will be delivered from there.

Rheinmetall AG CEO Armin Papperger said, "The opening of MILVEHCOE marks the beginning of a new era in military vehicle manufacturing in Australia. Technology and systems from Germany will be transferred and form the basis for a globally operating hub for the development, production, distribution, and support of military vehicles, platforms, and turrets."

Papperger also emphasized that the export-oriented focus of MILVEHCOE will advance the sustainable growth of a military vehicle industry in Australia. The integration into Rheinmetall's global supply chains will benefit the increasing number of suppliers for products and services across Australia.

"With MILVEHCOE, we are creating an outstanding military vehicle competence based on the strong partnership between the Australian Defense Force and Rheinmetall," said Papperger. "It also provides opportunities for Australian companies to participate in our programs for current and future client countries, including NATO members such as Germany and Hungary."

The tasks and facilities of MILVEHCOE include:
– Development and production of vehicles, turrets, armament, armor, electronics, electro-optics, and simulators;
– a vehicle test track and an electromagnetic test chamber to ensure vehicles meet all customer requirements before delivery;
– a modern fully enclosed shooting range;
– a system integration lab to examine and optimize the integration of Australian army systems into vehicles;
– office and other spaces for development, training, procurement, project management, finance, legal, marketing, and management.
Gary Stewart, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia, emphasized that with MILVEHCOE, Rheinmetall's capabilities for supplying the Australian Defense Force and international customers will be significantly enhanced. "Once MILVEHCOE is fully operational, it will take over the production of the Australian Army’s Boxer fleet and all associated support services and will become a center where defense forces, industry, and research organizations collaborate on the Australian Boxer project and other programs to bring innovation."

More than 450 Rheinmetall employees will work at the new competence center. Rheinmetall is currently delivering a total of 211 Boxer vehicles to the Australian Army as part of the Land 400 program. Additionally, the company is delivering over 2500 highly mobile protected trucks to the Australian Army under the Land 121 project. These vehicles already form the logistical backbone of the ADF and will be further strengthened by the delivery of an additional 1000 trucks.

Furthermore, Rheinmetall has offered the Lynx KF41, a highly protected infantry fighting vehicle that meets the high military requirements of the AUD 15 billion (EUR 9.1 billion) Land 400 Phase 3 program. "The design, development, and manufacture of the Lynx in Australia for the ADF will also rely on the modern manufacturing capabilities of the MILVEHCOE and a strong industrial network of small and medium-sized companies across Australia," said Rheinmetall Managing Director Gary Stewart.

Rheinmetall on the Internet: www.rheinmetall.com