Australia has signed the single largest defence export deal to supply Australian-made armoured vehicles to Germany after German parliament approved the defence contract agreed last year during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visit to the Germany.
Under the agreement, 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 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 agreement will boost Australia’s sovereign defence industry, secure local jobs and contribute to Australia’s economic growth”, Prime Minister Albanese said in a joint statement on Thursday.
Declaring this agreement as the biggest defence export agreement in Australia’s history, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles said that the build and export of Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles to the German Army highlights a strengthening of the relationship between our two countries.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said that 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”, he said in the joint statement.
According to ABC, Australia is also currently producing its own fleet of over 200 Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles in Queensland for the army, with the first few vehicles constructed and tested in German facilities.
