Rheinmetall Defence Australia has signed a supplier agreement with Supacat Asia Pacific for the Australian Army’s Boxer 8×8 combat reconnaissance vehicles.

The agreement is the first major Australian supplier contract under Land 400 Phase II programme, which will see the development of 211 Boxer vehicles.

As part of the project, Supacat Asia Pacific will design and manufacture sub-systems that would be used on board the Boxer fleet.

Australian Defence Minister Christopher Pyne said: “This is a fantastic story for Australian industry, to be part of producing a world-beating capability for the Australian Army.

“The Boxer will help our troops fight and win on the modern battlefield, with an unprecedented level of protection, firepower and mobility.”



“Work on the new fleet of Boxer vehicles will help create approximately 1,450 new highly skilled job opportunities across the country.”

The partnership between the two companies will enable Supacat to at least double its engineering workforce, generating more than 20 new roles in the region.

According to Australian Defence Industry Minister Steven Ciobo, work on the new fleet of Boxer vehicles will help create approximately 1,450 new highly skilled job opportunities across the country.

Ciobo said: “I am very proud of the level of engagement with Australian industry on big projects like Land 400.

“The Liberal National government’s record investment in defence capability is creating jobs, and building knowledge and technologies.

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“This is the first contract of approximately 40 local suppliers involved in key acquisition and sustainment activities in the Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle project.”

Being manufactured under a bi-national programme, the Boxer armoured vehicle is produced by the ARTEC consortium that comprises Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles and Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Nederland.