Local lines up for slice of billion dollar defence contract

Local company Redcat Industries is in the running for a slice of a looming $5 billion defence contract that could be heading Queensland’s way.

Redcat is already supplying Rheinmetall Defence Australia, who Premier Annastascia Palaszczuk, Treasurer, Trade and Investment Minister Curtis Pitt and State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham, announced today would headquarter in Queensland if they won the upcoming LAND 400 Phase 2 contract to supply Australia’s new armoured vehicles.

Redcat was among the suppliers who attended the official announcement at Brisbane’s Archerfield Airport.

“This announcement is a testament to the skills and capability of companies like Redcat and their employees,” the Premier said.

“The confidence that Rheinmetall is showing in Queensland today is a vote of confidence in companies like Redcat, just as much as it is in our Government’s focus on attracting more jobs and more industry to Queensland.

“Rheinmetall is saying that the products and services from companiespart of Queensland’s $4.2 billion defence industries sector are the best in the country, .”

Rheinmetall is one of two companies vying for the Department of Defence’s Land 400 Phase 2 contract, which is expected to be announced in the first quarter of next year.

The other company is BAE Systems Australia, which has yet to announce where it would manufacturer its vehicles if it were to win the Land 400 contract.

Rheinmetall Defence Australia will establish its Australia-New Zealand headquarters and a military vehicle centre of excellence (MILVEHCOE) if it wins the contract to deliver 225 combat reconnaissance vehicles for the Australian Army.  

Rheinmetall is vying with one other short-listed company, BAE, for the Department of Defence contract, which is expected to be announced in the first quarter of next year.

Media contact:

Premier's office Geoff Breusch 0417 272 875

Minister Lynham's office Ben Mulcahy 0419 562 389