Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could visit Germany in July amid manoeuvring by German and Korean defence companies for a stripped-back, but still lucrative, contract to build armoured troop carriers.

The Australian Financial Review understands Mr Albanese and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke about the armoured vehicle contract late last month, with Mr Scholz inviting the prime minister to also visit Germany when he travels to Lithuania for the July 11-12 NATO leaders’ summit.