Delivered by Rheinmetall Defence Australia under the $5B Land 400 Phase 2 Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability program, the Boxer arrived in Brisbane In July.
Wetherill Park based PMG is one of seven small business to have been contracted for the supply for the first 25 vehicles, which 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 the vehicles.
PMG Chief Executive Officer Jason Elias said the company had opened new roles for the project.
“We will continue our expansion into defence, opening up another 15 roles in mid-2020,” Mr Elias said.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said the Boxers, with their high levels of protection, firepower and mobility, would provide a world-class capability to the Australian Army.
“[These vehicles] 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,” Ms Reynolds said.
“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 for Defence Industry Melissa Price said over the 30-year life of the vehicles, Australian industry would secure $10.2B of the total investment in acquiring and maintaining the fleet.
Minister Price said 12 small businesses across Australia would contribute to the Boxer program overall.
Following delivery of the first 25 vehicles, the remainder will be assembled at Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence facility in Redbank, near Ipswich, using companies located across Australia, including PMG, which will provide prototype bracketry.
Rheinmetall Defence Australia managing director Gary Stewart said the benefits to Australian business would be ongoing.
“Rheinmetall is committed to growing an Australian sovereign military vehicle capability and to have that centred in the most advanced military vehicle manufacturing facility in the country will make it a real asset of national significance,” he said.
Rheinmetall is also shortlisted for Phase 3 of the Land 400 tender, and if successful, would manufacture 400 infantry fighting vehicles at its site near Ipswich.
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