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The defence prime has upgraded its bid to supply the Australian Army with its next-generation Lynx IFVs, including a “special offer” in its final proposal for the $18.1-$27.1 billion LAND 400 Phase 3 contract.
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Rheinmetall Defence Australia (RDA) has submitted its Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) ‘best and final offer’ (BAFO) to the Department of Defence — the last deliverable of the two-year Risk Management Activity (RMA) in the final phase of the LAND 400 Phase 3 tender process.
The company’s offer — which is competing against Hanwha Defense Australia’s Redback IFV to replace the Australian Army’s M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier — includes a ‘special project’, yet to be unveiled to the market.
According to RDA managing director Gary Stewart the undisclosed project would “pique the interest” of both the Australian Defence Force and the international export market.
“Incorporating a great deal of engineering design and innovation, I am very much looking forward to unveiling the Rheinmetall special project,” he said.
The BAFO followed a rigorous RMA process, which Stewart has claimed “mitigated a number of risks” and “confirmed vehicle and company performance”, while also demonstrating local supply chain opportunities.
Stewart went on to tout the capability benefits of the Lynx IFV — a tracked, digitised platform, which he said offers a “step-change” in Army’s capabilities.
“Lynx sets the new standard and offers unmatched levels of survivability, mobility, lethality, knowledge and growth,” he said.
“Importantly, Lynx is ready to protect Australians in the field and defeat any adversary.”
The Lynx is fitted with Rheinmetall’s Lance turret — also used in the Boxer CRV — designed to bolster precision and lethality, while also offering an integrated battle management system.
“Designed for close combat operations, the extensive family of Lynx vehicles is modular,” Stewart continued.
“Lynx can be easily configured and reconfigured, to all 10 roles required by the Army.”
RDA’s managing director also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to achieving the Commonwealth government’s Australian industry capability (AIC) objectives through the expansion of the LAND 121 and LAND 400 Phase 2 programs.
“The Australian Army will benefit from the Lynx IFV that will be designed, built and supported from Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence, with an expanded Australia-wide military vehicle industry network,” he said.
“In addition to the engineering of the system design Rheinmetall undertook in Australia with our key Australian partners, we are continuing to identify more Australian companies to supply technologies into Lynx, as part of our ongoing ‘design to manufacture in Australia’ activities.”
The company’s local supply chain consists of more than 100 SMEs manufacturing parts for the Lynx.
“Rheinmetall’s bid will see the Lynx sustained and enhanced locally throughout its service life, building on Rheinmetall’s existing employment base which supports hundreds of high-technology design and manufacturing jobs in fields as diverse as electro-optics, weapon systems, vehicle and turret manufacturing, armour systems and simulation,” Stewart added.
"…Manufactured at Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Redbank, Queensland, the company will provide whole of fleet management, training and through-life support of Lynx.
