“Rheinmetall Celebrates German-Australian Pact for 100+ Boxer Combat Vehicles!”

Rheinmetall embraces the German-Australian agreement for the acquisition of over 100 Boxer combat vehicles for the German Army.

Rheinmetall has acknowledged the establishment of a German-Australian agreement aimed at the anticipated manufacturing of Boxer combat vehicles in Australia for the German Army’s “schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie” (heavy weapon carrier infantry) initiative, further strengthening the robust cooperation and defense collaboration between the two nations in the land sector.

From 22 July to 4 August 2023, the international exercise Talisman Sabre was conducted in Australia, with participation from the German military. This exercise included amphibious land operations, maneuvers with ground forces, aerial drills, and naval engagements. A contingent of 170 German Army soldiers and 40 German naval personnel participated in the Australian exercise.

Present in Australia for the exercise and emphasizing the significance of German-Australian defense collaboration, Lieutenant General Alfons Mais, chief commander of the German Army, visited Rheinmetall Defence Australia. Accompanied by Vice Admiral Carsten Stawitzki, head of the military equipment division within the German defense ministry, Lieutenant General Mais personally reviewed the fabrication of the Boxer multirole wheeled armored vehicle. “This is our message: we aspire to be a trustworthy and dependable ally. We regard Australia as a vital cornerstone in the region,” states Mais.
This extensive collaboration is underpinned by a fundamental agreement reached between Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during his visit to Germany in July 2023. A cooperation letter had already been formalized in Canberra on 23 March 2023 by the Australian Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, and Thomas Hitscher, undersecretary of state in the German ministry of defense, establishing a foundation for closer military relations.

Following the successful resolution of talks, the German Boxer vehicles will be manufactured, using production capabilities at Rheinmetall’s cutting-edge Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) at Redbank in South East Queensland, alongside the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) being constructed for the Australian Defence Force.

The “schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie” (sWaTrInf, for short) is derived from the Australian Army’s Boxer CRV. This is a validated 8×8 combat vehicle outfitted with a reconnaissance vehicle mission module, including the two-man Lance turret. Its primary armament is the Rheinmetall MK30-2 ABM automatic cannon, also featured in the German Puma infantry fighting vehicle. Over the long term, the German armed forces plan to acquire more than 100 Boxer sWaTrInf vehicles to replace the existing “Wiesel” (weasel) as a direct tactical fire support platform for its infantry units. Deliveries are planned to commence in 2025.

Commenting on the potential export opportunities, John Abunassar, head of Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems division, emphasized the similarities between the Australian and proposed German Boxer sWaTrInf vehicles, as well as the confidence placed in Rheinmetall by both nations: “The German Boxers to be produced at MILVEHCOE will be based on the Australian Boxer Reconnaissance vehicle variant. This opportunity represents one of the largest Australian defense exports in the country’s history and supports Rheinmetall’s vision to develop and enhance Australia’s defense industry capabilities while integrating them into the Group’s global supply chains.”

“Rheinmetall in Australia boasts over 900 employees, advanced technical expertise, and a well-established manufacturing facility that encompasses vehicles, armor, and electronics production at Redbank,” adds Nathan Poyner, managing director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia. “Our Australian and global supply chains will keep expanding, with small and medium-sized enterprises benefiting as we secure new contracts to augment existing export programs. We appreciate the strong partnership between Australia and Germany in the land vehicle sector as the two nations collaborate to enhance global security.”

Recent news regarding the cooperation agreement on the German Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier project follows the commencement of production of Rheinmetall’s Australian Boxer with the “Striking of the Arc” ceremony at MILVEHCOE on Monday, 20 March. In attendance was Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, marking the symbolic first weld for the Australian-manufactured Boxer CRV.

The Boxer vehicle is a sophisticated armored 8×8 platform deployed by armed forces worldwide. The Boxer delivers improved troop safety, security, and protection, accompanied by high levels of firepower and mobility suitable for sustained operations, ranging from peacekeeping to high-intensity combat.

In Australia, Rheinmetall stands as the largest provider of military vehicles for the Australian Defence Force. In addition to the 211 Boxer vehicles supplied under the Land 400 Phase 2 project—133 of which are the CRV variant equipped with the manned Lance turret—the company also maintains the Australian armed forces’ HX fleet, comprising over 2,900 vehicles.