Handover of the First Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles

25 September 2019

First Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (photos : Aus DoD, DTR Magz)

Delivering the next generation of capability for the Australian Army

The first of the fleet of new Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) for the Australian Defence Force 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.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the new vehicles, with their high levels of protection, firepower and mobility, will provide a world-class capability to the Australian Army.

“These new vehicles are part of the Liberal National Government’s $200 billion investment in our defence capability to ensure the Australian Defence Force is equipped to succeed in our challenging strategic environment,” Minister Reynolds said.

“They 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 for Defence Industry the Hon Melissa Price welcomed the approximately 1,450 jobs across Australia that would flow from the construction of the vehicles.

“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 Price said.

“Our Government’s investment decisions in defence capability are complemented by a comprehensive defence industry policy agenda to support a robust, resilient and internationally competitive defence industry, which will support jobs and investment across the country.”

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 today announced an additional seven small businesses that have been contracted by Rheinmetall as suppliers for the first 25 Boxer vehicles.

The companies are:

-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, ensuring the delivery of these vehicles is a national enterprise.

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.

(Aus DoD)