Queensland’s defence manufacturing industry has received a shot in the arm with two recent billion-dollar announcements.
Following approval by the German Parliament late last month, Rheinmetall signed a $4.5 billion contract to build heavy weapon carriers for the German infantry at the Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MVCEOC) in Redbank in South-East Queensland.
It came hot on the heels of Boeing Australia announcing it would soon start construction of a facility in Toowoomba, 125km west of Brisbane, to support the manufacture of Australia’s first military combat aircraft designed and developed in over 50 years – the MQ-28 Ghost Bat.
Rheinmetall’s contract is for 123 vehicles, delivered from 2025, with designs based on the Australian Defence Force’s Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV), which is also produced at Redbank.
Rheinmetall’s Head of Vehicle Systems Division John Abunassar said this would be one of the largest Australian defence exports in the country’s history.
“It supports Rheinmetall’s goal to further develop the capabilities of the Australian defence industry and integrate it into the company’s global supply chains,” Mr Abunassar said.
Managing Director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia Nathan Poyner said Rheinmetall had more than 900 employees in Australia, high-tech capabilities and an established manufacturing facility in Redbank that produced vehicles, armour and electronics.
“Our Australian and global supply chain will grow and bring further prosperity to small and medium sized businesses as we secure new orders to complement existing export programmes,” he said.
“We welcome the close defence industry partnership between Australia and Germany as the two nations work together to enhance global security.”
Meanwhile, Boeing’s new 9000 square metre MQ-28 production facility at Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precent is expected to be operational in three years.
Boeing Defence Australia Managing Director Amy List said the MQ-28, an uncrewed combat aircraft, would transform air combat for Australia and its allies.
“We’re partnering with the Queensland Government and Wagner Corporation to build Boeing’s first final assembly facility outside of North America – which is indicative of our global focus and a continued commitment to a sustainable and robust Australian aerospace industry,” she said.
Wagner Corporation will develop and manage construction of the facility at their Toowoomba precinct using sustainable construction methods, and work with Boeing to incorporate renewable technologies and human-centric design.
The MQ-28 production facility will include aerospace manufacturing capabilities, including carbon fibre composites manufacture, along with advanced robotic assembly for major components, and final assembly and test capabilities.
The projects align with the Queensland Government’s 10-year defence industries roadmap with outlines Queensland’s strengths, challenges and actions to grow this sector.
It has a vision that by 2028 Queensland will be Australia’s front line for defence industry by increasing the revenue contribution to the Queensland economy to $7 billion.
This will include creating a 10,000-strong, highly skilled workforce that is renowned for its agility, innovation and depth of capability in supporting the Australian Defence Force and its allies.
