The Department of Defence is bringing its Land 400 roadshow to Geelong next month, giving local business the opportunity to pitch their unique products and services while demonstrating the strength of industry capability in the region.
Geelong businesses with defence industry capability will meet with Hanwha and Rheinmetall, the two companies shortlisted for the Land 400 tender evaluation stage. The Land 400 program is scoped to acquire and support up to 450 Infantry Fighting Vehicles and a Manoeuvre Support Vehicle capability of up to 17 vehicles.
These vehicles will replace the current M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers that have been in service since the mid 1960s. A decision on the preferred tenderer will be presented to government for consideration in 2022.
The Department of Defence is working to maximise opportunities for Australian industry participation and says the Australian Industry Capability level for Land 400 is over 65%, with an expected $10.2 billion, 30-year investment in Australian industry over the life of the project.
Hanwha and Rheinmetall will be in Geelong on March 4 and 5 to kick off a two-month national roadshow across all Australian capital cities and selected regional centres. Registration has been extended until Friday February 21 and the nomination form is available here.
The roadshow will help Hanwha and Rheinmetall identify local enterprises able to contribute to their supply chains. Each local company will be allocated five minutes to deliver a pitch on their capabilities. This will be followed by five minutes for the shortlisted tenderers to ask questions of the companies offering.
“Australian Industry Capability is pivotal to the Land 400 program. During the Risk Mitigation Activity, Defence will work with shortlisted tenderers to maximise opportunities for Australian industry participation to deliver an optimum Australian Industry Capability under Land 400 Phase 3.”
– Department of Defence
Defence has signed contracts with Rheinmetall to deliver and support 211 Boxer 8×8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) for the Australian Army.
“This is a significant Army capability that will enhance the safety, security and protection of Australian troops for the next 30 years,”
– Department of Defence
The Boxer 8×8 CRV will replace the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle introduced in 1996.
The CRVs will operate in a range of environments, from regional stability missions through to high-threat operations against adversaries. The high levels of protection, firepower and mobility provided by the vehicles will enable sustained operations, varying from peacekeeping to close combat.
Rheinmetall’s manufacturing hub will be based in South East Queensland and it is now establishing contracts with its major Australian sub-contractors. Some early vehicles will be initially assembled in Germany which will familiarise Australian workers and suppliers with manufacturing techniques for these highly complex vehicles.
A Resident Project Office has been established in Hamburg, Germany, to support the initial delivery. Those vehicles will be shipped to Australia for final assembly. After this initial phase vehicles will be fully assembled in Australia.
The Australian workforce involved in the construction of the vehicles will be used to maintain the Boxer and support potential export opportunities.
Rheinmetall delivered the first Boxer 8×8 CRV in September and final vehicle deliveries are expected in 2026.
The Hanwha Defense Australia submission can be found here and Rheinmetall Defence Australia document found here.
The pair are also planning additional industry engagement activities.
More information can be found here.
Feb 2020