Marand Precision Engineering and Rheinmetall have announced a $50 million extension to their partnership to include the Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) in use with the ADF and for export orders.
Marand has an existing partnership with Rheinmetall to manufacture LANCE digital turrets, hull components and vehicle attachments in Geelong for export markets utilising Marand’s and Rheinmetall’s established Australian Supply Chain.
The enhanced manufacturing partnership includes the Geelong manufacture of Boxer CRV subassemblies including Citadel machining, turret hatches, turret baskets, doors and dismount hatches.
“This major production partnership is an exciting development for Marand and for the City of Geelong,” said Rohan Stocker, CEO of Marand.
“Expanding on our current work already underway in Geelong to now include Boxer is a testament to the capability we have demonstrated to Rheinmetall and their trust in us to continue to deliver for these critical programs.”
“Marand’s decades of experience, our reach across multiple industries, our manufacturing expertise, local supply chain and business systems truly set us apart from our competitors.”
Marand has operations in Melbourne and Geelong and supplies sophisticated engineering solutions to the Defence, aerospace, rail, automotive and mining sectors. It designs and manufactures complex innovative solutions for its customer base including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, BAE Systems, BHP and Rio Tinto.
The company will undertake design and development with manufacturing at the historic Ford Factory precinct in Geelong. Since opening, their Geelong manufacturing division on Ford’s site 10 years ago, Marand already employs over 80 staff.
“We look forward to expanding our presence in Australia’s Defence industry. We are particularly proud to be able to carry out this work in the former Ford Geelong facility,” Stocker added.
“Marand is an outstanding Australian company with a reputation globally for delivering quality manufacturing outcomes for major Defence projects,” said Nathan Poyner, managing director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia.
“Boxer with the LANCE digital turret is the best vehicle in its class and sets new standards in protection and the lethality needed to survive and defeat an adversary.”
“Marand is a proven partner with a global presence in Defence and its design, development and manufacturing work will be critical to the successful delivery of Rheinmetall vehicles to the Australian Defence Force and export customers.
“Our $50M AUD partnership extension reflects Rheinmetall’s global commitment to delivering real Australian Industry opportunities today, in communities across the country, including in Geelong and Victoria,” said Poyner.
The combat-proven Boxer 8×8 provides a unique mix of mobility, capacity and survivability that allows the vehicle to operate effectively across the full spectrum of combat operations.
Boxer’s inherent adaptability enables it to fulfil a large range of roles. Boxer CRV paired with the LANCE digital turret generates a range of scalable, precise, lethal and non-lethal effects to provide commanders engagement options on the battlefield.
Marand designs, manufactures and sustains complex and innovative equipment and products primarily for the defence, aerospace, mining, rail, and energy industries.
Rheinmetall is the largest supplier of military vehicles to the Australian Defence Force and its Australian headquarters is at the Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) at Redbank, Queensland.