Rheinmetall has lodged a bid in response to the Commonwealth of Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 2 - Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability request for tender. Under the tender, the Commonwealth is offered the latest version of the BOXER 8X8, the in-service LANCE turret and Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) architecture.
The battle proven BOXER 8x8 – a joint development of Rheinmetall and KMW – provides a unique mix of mobility, capacity and survivability that allows the vehicle to operate effectively across the full spectrum of combat operations, while the vehicles inherent adaptability allows it to evolve as requirements and threats change. If selected for LAND 400 the BOXER Cavalry Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) will provide the Australian Army a combat proven, low risk capability that can be rapidly transitioned into service and easily supported through life.
The Rheinmetall LANCE turret is a mature system that is in-service with a NATO country. LANCE generates a range of scalable, precise, effects to effectively deal with threats on the current and future battlefield.
Rheinmetall is committed to the creation of an enduring Australian capability beyond the minimum LAND 400 Australian Industry Capability (AIC) requirements, and has successfully completed a comprehensive supplier engagement activity with more than three hundred Australian Companies. Through this process Rheinmetall has selected Supacat to be the first Australian company to be part of the BOXER CRV team.
Supacat in Australia will draw on its experience in developing and certifying vehicles with the Australian Department of Defence to support the Rheinmetall LAND 400 team.
Andrew Fletcher, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia, said “Delivering the best possible protection to Australian armed forces - in line with the demanding protection specifications - is a non-negotiable objective for our LAND 400 team.”
“Rheinmetall’s combat proven BOXER 8x8 CRV delivers the highest levels of protection required under LAND 400 and is a formidable MOTS platform when combined with the in-service LANCE Turret.”
“Our LAND 400 industry engagement activities have been well received and our European executives have identified a number of Australian suppliers who we are currently in negotiations with to enter our global supply chain for LAND 400 and other international programs. We look forward to working with Australian industry to provide the best capability for the Australian Defence Force on the LAND 400 program.”
Ian Irving, Chief Executive of Northrop Grumman Australia, welcomed the alliance with Rheinmetall.
“Northrop Grumman will leverage its extensive experience to offer a fifth-generation C4ISR solution that will significantly reduce crew workload, improve situational awareness and enable interoperability across the Australian Defence Force and with coalition forces. Our solution will provide an enduring platform ready for enhancements with future sensors and communications systems. Together, Northrop Grumman and Rheinmetall will also extend an impressive and lasting package of work for Australian industry,” Mr Irving said.
Michael Halloran, Managing Director of Supacat in Australia said “We are delighted to be working with Rheinmetall Defence and offering a local perspective on testing, qualifying and modifying vehicles for the Australian users.
For our own products, we partner with a number of Australian SMEs who deliver outstanding capabilities in their own right and we look forward to bringing these capabilities into the LAND 400 program.”