Australia: Boxer enters the ring
Source Australian MoD
24 September 2019 – The first of a fleet of new combat reconnaissance vehicles (CRVs) for the Australian Defence Force has been unveiled at a ceremony at Enoggera Barracks, Brisbane.
The 211 new Boxer 8×8 CRVs will be delivered by Rheinmetall Defence Australia under the $5 billion LAND 400 Phase 2 Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability program.
The LAND 400 program will provide the Australian Army with a fleet of modern armoured fighting vehicles characterised by increased levels of protection, lethality and mobility.
The new vehicles will be equipped with modern and highly capable sensors and communications suites, which will ensure the new vehicles remain a potent weapon system over the next 30 years.
The Defence Minister, Senator Linda Reynolds said the new vehicles, with their high levels of protection, firepower and mobility, would provide a world-class capability to the Army.
“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 Reynolds said.
The Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, welcomed the approximately 1450 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.
Australian industry will secure $10.2 billion of the total investment in acquiring and maintaining the fleet.
A dozen small businesses across Australia 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 the Rheinmetall Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence facility in Redbank, Queensland, using companies across Australia.
Photos courtesy Australian MoD
