Login
iscover
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia and Germany have signed an “in-principle” agreement for the delivery of 100 Brisbane-made Boxer heavy weapon carrier vehicles to the German Bundeswehr.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
Speaking ahead of the signing in Germany, the Prime Minister explained the deal “will be one of our largest ever exports” and will be built out of Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Queensland’s Redbank.
“The defence relationship between Australia and Germany is growing significantly and we are excited about this in-principle agreement for Rheinmetall to build Boxers for the German Army in Brisbane,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles said.
“This is a significant investment for our local defence industry; securing local jobs and contributing to Australia’s economic growth.
“I look forward to seeing this significant deal between our two countries continue to progress.”
To Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy, the deal hopes to cement a deepening security relationship between Australia and Germany.
“We are excited that Boxers made in Brisbane, using Australian suppliers, will be used by the German Army,” Minister Conroy said.
“This export opportunity highlights the world-leading skills and capabilities within Australia’s defence industry.
“This deal will support hundreds of well-paid, high-skill jobs and grow the defence relationship between Australia and Germany.”
Australia first signed a letter of cooperation to commence the formal negotiations in March, with a meeting between Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy and Germany’s Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Defence Thomas Hitschler.
It is expected that the agreement will support the 1,000 jobs surrounding the program into the future and generate over $1 billion for the Australian economy.
The announcement was made during the Prime Minister’s visit to Europe to attend the NATO Leaders’ Summit in Lithuania, where he is expected to promote Australia’s security and economic agenda.
Australia is attending alongside representatives from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and New Zealand as the Info-Pacific Four.
“It’s important that I attend the NATO Leaders’ Summit. Australia’s presence at this forum is firmly in our national interest as we work together towards a peaceful and stable world,” the Prime Minister said.
“Alongside our NATO allies, Australia continues to demonstrate our unwavering support for Ukraine and our condemnation of Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion.
“I am honoured to accept an invitation to visit Germany and meet with Chancellor Scholz. Australia and Germany are close partners and friends. Australia wants to deepen our cooperation to address shared challenges and ambitions.”
