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Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia has officially concluded the LAND 121 Phase 3B/5B program, marking a decade-long successful procurement effort in collaboration with the Australian Department of Defence.
The final acceptance ceremony was held at Rheinmetall’s Military Vehicles Center of Excellence in Queensland, celebrating the milestone achievement.
Under the LAND 121 project, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) acquired a fleet of military logistics vehicles based on the highly reliable HX truck platform. The program delivered 3,580 medium and heavy military logistics trucks along with 3,165 modules and protected cabs, all completed on schedule and within budget.
As the largest supplier of military logistics vehicles to the Australian Army, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia (RMMVA) provided various configurations of the HX fleet, including recovery vehicles, transporters, self-loading hook lifts, fuel trucks, tractors and tippers. Extensive testing and verification of the vehicles were conducted at the Australian Automotive Research Centre (AARC) near Anglesea, Victoria.
Michael Wittlinger, chief of staff of Rheinmetall AG and chairman of the supervisory board of RMMVA, highlighted the significance of the fleet in bolstering Australia’s defence capabilities.
“The HX truck is the workhorse of the Australian Army, offering outstanding logistical support and reliability. The successful completion of this project is a testament to the dedication and expertise of Rheinmetall Defence Australia and our valued partners within the Commonwealth of Australia,” Wittlinger said.
Initially introduced into service over a decade ago, the HX trucks have since become a cornerstone of the Australian supply force, transporting essential supplies such as troops, food, water and equipment nationwide.
The fleet’s production was carried out in Vienna, Austria, with final assembly taking place at Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s facility in south-east Queensland. Additional support came from teams based in Victoria and Queensland, ensuring a seamless manufacturing and deployment process.
With the procurement phase now completed, Rheinmetall is shifting focus to sustaining the HX fleet through a national network of service providers.
“Our field service representatives will continue working alongside the Australian Army to ensure the vehicles remain operational and mission-ready across all terrains and conditions,” Wittlinger added.
Rheinmetall’s HX trucks are widely used across NATO and allied nations, with over 20,000 vehicles in service globally. Australia joins an international network of HX operators, including New Zealand, Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Singapore and Canada.
Built as robust, military-off-the-shelf systems, HX trucks are powered by six-cylinder in-line diesel engines and support a maximum weight of up to 41,000 kilograms. They are engineered to withstand extreme temperatures from -32 degrees to +49 degrees and can traverse water depths exceeding 1.5 metres. The platform offers various operational configurations, including integrated load handling systems, crane attachments, container carriers, recovery vehicles, tankers and artillery support systems.
The completion of the LAND 121 program marks a significant enhancement in the ADF’s logistical capabilities, reinforcing Australia’s defence readiness with state-of-the-art military transport solutions.
