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Melbourne-based Able Industries Engineering announced it has received a major international standard for welding practices that enhances opportunities for new contracts in the Australian defence sector, with LAND 400 Phase 2 firmly in its sights.
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Able, which employs 45 team members at its Melbourne manufacturing site, has secured the DIN 2303 Q2/BK1 certification from the German governing body, DSV SLV, after completing a rigorous audit process confirming its welding procedures are to international standard.
The highly sought-after German military welding standard officially recognises Able’s compliance and commitment to superior welding skills, quality processes, and procedures.
The internationally recognised qualification is a critical step towards working on Australian Defence programs including the LAND 400 Phase 2 Boxer program and confirms Able’s ability to fabricate and weld specialised metal components to military standard.
Able, has 45 years’ experience supporting defence and industry, and is the first company in Victoria and the third in Australia to achieve this international certification for its welding practices. The audit process requires significant resources including company investment in employees and capability.
Able managing director Stephen Martyn said, "The accreditation enabled the company to bid for contracts offered by global prime military contractors delivering major platforms for the Commonwealth of Australia and markets overseas.
"This is a significant step for our family owned and operated company that will strengthen our proven capability and also enhance opportunities to be part of international supply chains."
Able will fabricate and weld components for the ADF’s fleet of combat reconnaissance vehicles (CRV) now being delivered by Rheinmetall Defence Australia. RDA is working with industry partners across Australia to deliver 211 Boxer CRVs and establish a sovereign military vehicle industry capability.
Able is also accredited with welding standard certification ISO 3834–2. To have both qualifications underscores Able’s commitment to operating at the highest standard for welding processes, quality procedures and industry best practice.
The $5.2 billion LAND 400 Phase 2 program will have Rheinmetall deliver 211 8x8 Boxer CRVs to the Australian Army.
Under the company's offering to the Commonwealth, Rheinmetall will build a majority of the vehicles at the company's specialised Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Queensland.
The first 25 vehicles will be built in Germany as part of the technology transfer process, with the remaining vehicles to be built in Australia. Boxer will replace the ageing ASLAV vehicles that have served with the Australian Army in East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Army will accept 133 reconnaissance variants of the Boxer, which will be equipped with Rheinmetall’s cutting-edge Lance 30mm automatic cannon turret system, amounts a number of other variants.
