The Australian government has signed an in-principle agreement with Germany for Australia to supply over 100 Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles, as per the announcement made on July 10.
During his visit to Berlin, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese witnessed the signing of the agreement by Ambassador to Germany Philip Green and Mr. Benedikt Zimmer, Germany’s State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Defense.
With a contract worth approximately $1 billion (6.7 million USD), the agreement specifies that the Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles are to be manufactured in Brisbane, Australia.
Once the agreement is concluded, Rheinmetall will utilize its production capabilities at the Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Redbank, Queensland, to fulfill the supply of vehicles to Germany.
“This is one of the biggest defense sales in Australia’s history and is worth over $1 billion to the Australian economy in the production and supply of these vehicles,” said Albanese.
“The defense relationship between Australia and Germany is growing significantly, and we are excited about this in-principle agreement for Rheinmetall to build Boxers for the German Army in Brisbane,” added Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
Australia and Germany signed the letter of cooperation in March of this year announcing the beginning of formal negotiations between the two countries and Rheinmetall.
The “schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie” (sWaTrInf) is to be developed based on the Australian Army’s Boxer CRV, an already proven 8×8 combat vehicle equipped with a reconnaissance module incorporating the two-man Lance turret. It will feature the Rheinmetall MK30-2 ABM automatic cannon, which is also utilized in the German Puma infantry fighting vehicle.
The German Armed Forces have plans to acquire over 100 Boxer sWaTrInf vehicles to replace the current “Wiesel” and serve as a dedicated tactical fire support platform for infantry units. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2025, as Rheinmetall announced.
