The milestone marks progress in delivering new capabilities to the Australian Defence Force under the government’s programme to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing. A total of 211 Boxer vehicles are planned for the ADF, including 25 units previously built in Germany and already in service.
The programme is being delivered in partnership with Rheinmetall Defence Australia and is intended to support local industry and employment. More than 50 Australian companies are involved in the supply chain, supporting over 500 jobs nationwide.
The partnership also reflects growing defence cooperation between Australia and Germany. In addition to the ADF programme, Rheinmetall Defence Australia is set to manufacture more than 100 Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles for the German Army under a contract valued at over $1 billion for the Australian economy.
The Boxer is described as one of the most advanced armoured vehicles currently in service, designed to provide protection, firepower and mobility in demanding operational environments. The platform supports a range of roles, including reconnaissance, command and control, joint fires, surveillance, repair and recovery.
The reconnaissance variant is equipped with a turret featuring a 30mm automatic cannon and an anti-tank guided missile system. The vehicles are intended to enhance the ADF’s long-range strike capability within a combined arms framework.
“This announcement reflects the Albanese Government’s commitment to a future made in Australia that is providing superior protection and firepower to our ADF personnel but also supporting industry and creating jobs around the country,” said Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry.
“We proudly welcome the first seven Australian-built Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles, a world-class capability forged with Australian expertise and Australian steel to protect our soldiers on operations,” he added.
“Rheinmetall Defence Australia, their industry partners and a highly skilled Aussie workforce have partnered to deliver this home-grown capability for our ADF. But this partnership with Rheinmetall also shows how closely Germany and Australia are working together on critical military capabilities,” Conroy said.
