L-R: MAJGEN David Coghlan; QLD Minister for State Development Cameron Dick MP; Minister for Defence Industry Steven Ciobo; QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk; Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director Gary Stewart; and Watpac Managing Director Martin Munro. (RHEINMETALL)

Rheinmetall Defence Australia has announced it has commenced the capital works for its Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) site at Redbank near Ipswich in Queensland.

A November 15 ground-breaking ceremony for the 11-hectare facility was attended by Rheinmetall company representatives as well as Minister for Defence Industry Steve Ciobo, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, and Queensland Minister for State Development Cameron Dick.

Upon completion in early 2020, the MILVEHCOE facility will assemble Boxer vehicles ordered under the Australian Army’s LAND 400 Phase 2 combat reconnaissance vehicle requirement. The precinct will also incorporate a regional headquarters for Rheinmetall Defence, and will employ about 450 staff for the continuous design, manufacture, export and support for military vehicles, turrets and tactical systems.

Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director Gary Stewart said breaking ground at Redbank represented a significant milestone for the global company and its partnership with the Queensland Government. “This facility will transform our business in Australia and the way we engage with the Australian Defence Force and industry,” he said.

“It will enable the manufacture and sustainment of the Australian Army vehicle fleet of Boxer CRVs, as well as being a campus and test facility in one location with all necessary infrastructure to solve problems and develop new capability quickly.

“Initially, the MILVEHCOE will focus on engineering, production and fielding to the Australian Defence Force through Land 400 Phase 2,” he added. “Over time, the role of the MILVEHCOE will expand to include the sustainment and upgrading of these vehicles as well as producing, sustaining and upgrading other vehicles in the Rheinmetall fleet from customers across the region.”  

The MILVEHCOE precinct will also include a vehicle test track and electromagnetic test chamber, an indoor firing range, a systems integration laboratory, and facilities for engineering, training, procurement, project management, finance, legal, marketing and management.