• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Land 400 Phase 2

The Department of Defence’s LAND 400 project is managing the delivery of the next generation of armoured fighting vehicles for the Australian Army. Phase 2 of the LAND 400 project is managing the acquisition of 211 combat reconnaissance vehicles.

Rheinmetall has signed contracts with the Commonwealth to deliver Australia’s new Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle, the Boxer 8x8 CRV, for LAND 400 Phase 2 Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability. Rheinmetall will base their manufacturing hub in South East Queensland (with the main facility in Redbank) and use companies located across Australia.

In an historic moment for Queensland, on 14 March 2018, the Australian Government announced Rheinmetall Defence Australia as the successful tenderer for the $5.2 billion LAND 400 Phase 2 Department of Defence contract.

Rheinmetall’s Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle (CRV) balances the key military requirements of protection, mobility and firepower in an unrivalled combination that can be rapidly transitioned into service and easily supported through life.

The Boxer CRV family concept is based around a uniform drive module and interchangeable, user/role-specific mission modules. Designed for maximum versatility, these build-on modules lend themselves to the development of a wide variety of mission-specific variants. Unique to Boxer CRV, these interchangeable modules also offer users considerable cost saving opportunities, with a single drive module capable of adapting to perform a multitude of operationally dictated roles.

Rheinmetall will establish its Australia-New Zealand Headquarters and Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in South East Queensland. This heralds the beginning of a new military vehicle manufacturing industry for the state, and confirms Queensland’s reputation as Australia’s front line for defence industries.

The LAND 400 Phase 2 contract to deliver the next generation of combat reconnaissance vehicles to the Australian Army is a catalytic project that will create opportunities for local industry for many decades to come. Rheinmetall estimates the project will support 450 jobs for Queenslanders and generate $1 billion for the state economy.

In May 2018 Watpac was appointed managing contractor to build the $170 million Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) for Rheinmetall Defence Australia at Redbank, in Ipswich, supporting 300 jobs a year over two years. Watpac is well-placed to deliver the MILVEHCOE and has demonstrated through past projects its commitment to engaging with local trades and suppliers, and will harness the highly skilled local construction workforce from Ipswich and across South East Queensland.

The MILVEHCOE will be Rheinmetall’s largest presence outside of Germany, and its location in the Redbank Motorway Estate will position Rheinmetall in the heart of the largest vehicle manufacturing and sustainment hub in Australia.

Rheinmetall Defence Australia is part of the Rheinmetall Group, an international prime contractor based in Germany that specialises in defence and automotive technology. Rheinmetall Defence Australia has been a proven and trusted partner of the Australian and New Zealand defence forces for more than 40 years. The company sets the global standard for excellence in a wide array of disciplines and offers an extensive array of military hardware that delivers mobility, lethality, survivability of troops, reconnaissance capability and networking of national and international systems.

Rheinmetall is the largest supplier of military vehicles to the Australian Defence Force. Rheinmetall is delivering more than 2500 logistics trucks to the Australian Army under the LAND 121 Phase 3B program. Rheinmetall is establishing its Australia-New Zealand Headquarters and Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Ipswich in South East Queensland.

Rheinmetall is establishing its MILVEHCOE as a sovereign industrial capability for the continuous design, manufacture, export and support for military vehicles, turrets and tactical systems. The MILVEHCOE will also draw on the supply network across Australia to deliver products and services from local industry into Rheinmetall’s global supply chain.

The mandated battle management system providers for LAND 400 are all located in Brisbane – Elbit Systems, Harris Corp and Raytheon. This presence is further supported by Boeing Defence Australia’s headquarters. Brisbane is home to Boeing’s most sophisticated modelling, simulation, analysis and military operations experimentation facilities in Australia – the Systems Analysis Laboratory and the Joint Battle Management Development Environment.

The Albanese Government entered the single largest defence export agreement in the county's history, to supply Australian-made armoured vehicles to Germany. Under the agreement aanouned 21 March 2024, more than 100 Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles will be built by Rheinmetall at its Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Redbank, Queensland and exported for use by the German Army. This agreement, passed through the German parliament, followed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese witnessing the signing of the in-principle agreement between Germany and Australia during his visit to Berlin in July 2023.

This is a significant milestone for Australia's defence industry: worth over $1 billion to the Australian economy, boosting our sovereign defence industry and securing more than 600 direct jobs in Queensland alone, with even more through the supply chain. The announcement will see Australian defence industry at the forefront of delivering world-leading defence capability to our trusted security partner, Germany.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: "This significant announcement is worth over $1 billion to the Australian economy in the production and supply of these vehicles. The agreement will boost Australia's sovereign defence industry, secure local jobs and contribute to Australia's economic growth. This deal secures well-paid jobs in Queensland and across the country."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Richard Marles: "I am pleased to announce the signing of the biggest defence export agreement in Australia's history. The build and export of Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles to the German Army highlights a strengthening of the relationship between our two countries. The Albanese Government is not only committed to bolstering our nation's growing defence industry, technology and talent, but also supporting ongoing economic prosperity in the region."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy: "This announcement underscores the support and immense effort on the part of the Albanese Government in ensuring we have a robust defence industry. A strong defence industry is crucial to protecting Australians and their interests. This announcement is also a testament to the hardworking Australians employed in this critical industry. Today's announcement means more than 600 Australians will secure and stable employment at Rheinmetall's Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Queensland, along with many more throughout our defence industry across the nation."