Milestone for Queensland military vehicle production

The 30,000sq m building that will house military vehicle manufacturing at Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s new headquarters in Redbank is finished and ready for fit-out. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was a major construction milestone in the delivery of the $170 million Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) for Rheinmetall. “With construction only commencing on the MILVEHCOE in late 2018, I commend Watpac, as managing contractor, on the cracking pace that has delivered this impressive 30,000sq m production building ready for use," she said. “With the site’s workforce hitting a peak of 365 tradies, apprentices and trainees in the month of November, Watpac’s sustained efforts has it well placed to have the entire MILVEHCOE facility completed by mid-year.” The facility is expected to be officially launched in July 2020 and will initially conduct heavy grade repair, integration and support to Defence’s new logistics vehicles, being delivered under LAND 121 Phase 3B/5B. From 2022, it will produce and maintain the Army's new Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles. Rheinmetall won the $5.2 billion LAND 400 Phase 2 tender in February 2018. The project is expected to create up to 450 jobs with Rheinmetall and across the Queensland supply chain in the first 10 years, contributing up to $1 billion to the state’s economy. Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director Gary Stewart said the company was thrilled with the progress of the construction and the current 200-plus Queensland-based employees were keen to move into the new premises. “Larger in size than four football fields, the production facility will be the beating heart of our operations and will accommodate many facets of our military vehicle operations,” Mr Stewart said. “In addition to three simultaneous vehicle production lines, the production facility will feature a weld shop, an armoury, prototyping workshop, turret and simulator assembly, paint booths, heavy maintenance and a large warehouse area. “When the rest of the facility comes on-line, the MILVEHCOE will be the most advanced military vehicle manufacturing facility in the country and the home of a truly Australian sovereign military capability.” High-skilled jobs to be based at the MILVEHCOE have been supported by a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between Rheinmetall Defence Australia and TAFE Queensland to deliver training. Visit the Queensland Government’s LAND 400 web pages to learn more. https://www.facebook.com/annastaciamp/videos/617302978833306/ https://www.i-q.net.au/main/nq-suppliers-urged-to-tap-land-400-opportunity

Milestone for Queensland military vehicle production

Industry Queensland

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