Work Focused on LAND 400 Phase 2 and LAND 121 Phase 5B

Australian Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, announced on 7 August that seven small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will partner with Rheinmetall Defence Australia on two major projects for the Australian Army.

Visiting the new headquarters of Supashock Australia in Adelaide, the Minister said the seven companies will share in nearly A$20 million (€12 million) of work under the LAND 400 Phase 2 and LAND 121 Phase 5B programmes.

LAND 400 Phase 2 will provide the Australian Army with 211 BOXER combat reconnaissance vehicles, which Rheinmetall will assemble at its facility in South East Queensland. LAND 121 Phase 5B will provide heavy and medium logistics vehicles and modules.

“This is an excellent example of how the big defence companies are working with local businesses on these large projects,” the Minister stated.

The seven contracts announced today constitute the first part of around $1.9 billion of work to be undertaken by Australian industry. Each company will be part of a growing cohort of local small businesses already delivering parts and services to Rheinmetall as the company builds its network of suppliers across Australia and establishes a local capability to underpin a national military vehicle industry.

The companies are:
• Cablex (Melbourne): vehicle systems and C4I cabling for the first 25 BOXERs
• Eylex (Sydney): crew communications equipment, including headsets for the first 25 BOXERs
• Tectonica Australia (Melbourne): driver’s aids for night time situational awareness for the first 25 BOXERs
• ABI Coating Specialists (Brisbane): paint and finish for the first 25 BOXERs
• Bartlett (Ballarat): tarpaulins for selected Rheinmetall MAN high-mobility logistics vehicles
• Supashock (Adelaide): spare wheel carriage system for Rheinmetall MAN heavy transport vehicles.
• Varley (Newcastle): modules for the Rheinmetall MAN high-mobility logistics vehicles

The Minister welcomed the opening of Supashock’s new facilities, marking expansion of the company into Australia’s defence industry and the creation of 60 new jobs. “Supashock is a shining example of how our investment in Australia’s defence industry is creating new opportunities and more jobs for small businesses across Australia,” she stated. “I congratulate them on the opening of their new facility, and thank Premier Marshall for his government’s support of this project.”