Military


Watpac has been appointed managing contractor to build the $170 million Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) for Rheinmetall Defence Australia at Redbank, in Ipswich.

The project, which is expected to support 300 jobs a year over two years, will begin around the middle of 2018, with planned completion at the end of 2020.

The centre will initially be the base for Rheinmetall to deliver the $5.2 billion LAND 400 Phase 2 contract for next-generation combat reconnaissance vehicles for the Australian Army and will then become a regional hub with an expected program of continuous design, build and support for up to 5000 military vehicles in Australia and the Asia Pacific.

Queensland Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said MILVEHCOE would be Rheinmetall’s largest presence outside of Germany and would manage the delivery and continued development and sustainment of the 211 Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles under LAND 400 Phase 2 and accommodate Rheinmetall’s other defence projects.

‘Watpac has built several large-scale construction projects across Queensland and is committed to using the highly-skilled construction workforce at Ipswich and across South East Queensland.’ Mr Dick said.

He said a key element of Rheinmetall’s LAND 400 bid was its commitment to establish its Australia-New Zealand Headquarters and Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in South East Queensland.

‘The MILVEHCOE’s location at Redbank puts it in the heart of the largest heavy vehicle manufacturing and sustainment hub in the country,’ said Mr Dick.

ICN Queensland is working with Watpac as it progressively releases trade packages for expression of interest via ICN Gateway.

‘This is a major project for our Queensland office and is an ideal opportunity for local suppliers to be involved with a giant global company in the defence sector,’ ICN Limited Executive Director Derek Lark, said.

‘Rheinmetall has indicated in a company statement that it plans to draw on a supply network across Australia to deliver products and services from local industry into its global supply chain.

‘We encourage businesses with an interest in participating in the construction of the MILVEHCOE to register on ICN Gateway. Please ensure your company’s details on ICN Gateway are correct and up to date.

For more information, go to the MILVEHCOE Gateway page.