Local lines up for slice of Defence contract

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

Global Manufacturing Group has a teaming agreement with Rheinmetall Defence Australia, who Premier Annastascia Palaszczuk 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.

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said if Rheinmetall won the contract, the spin-off would be a boost not just for Global Manufacturing, but for the whole Fraser Coast.

“This is about securing more work for locals, more high-skill jobs in our local community for years to come,” he said.

“As well, Global Manufacturing will benefit from the transfer of technologies and skills to make them even more competitive.

“This is a game changer for the Fraser Coast and right across Queensland.”

Global Manufacturing Group, whose agreement is for potential Land 400 work, 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 Global Manufacturing and their employees,” the Premier said.

“The confidence that Rheinmetall is showing in Queensland today is a vote of confidence in companies like Global Manufacturing, 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 that companies like Global Manufacturing deliver, are the best in the country, part of Queensland’s $4.2 billion defence industries sector.”

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 contacts:

Premier's office Geoff Breusch 0417 272 875

Minister's Lynham's Ben Mulcahy 0419 562 389