Axalta Coating Systems, based in Melbourne Rd, Riverstone was introduced to the national military vehicle industry plans with a hands-on experience with Rheinmetall’s combat reconnaissance BOXER vehicle at their Western Sydney’s base on Wednesday.

The companies are vying for the Australian Defence Force’s $20 million Land 400 contract, which will produce the next generation of armoured fighting vehicles “with the firepower, protection and mobility to defeat increasingly lethal and adaptive adversaries well into the future”.

Rheinmetall Defence managing director Gary Stewart said the company was determined to generate jobs and drive innovation in a new defence vehicle development industry.

“We have been impressed with the depth of capability that exists in a wide range of technical and manufacturing disciplines,” Mr Stewart said.

“Through this engagement, we believe we have a rare opportunity to create a lasting, national industry in military vehicles and turret systems.

“Rheinmetall is currently delivering 2500 trucks and 3000 modules to the Australian Army under the LAND 1213B program.”

Axalta Coating Systems has partnered with the international defence company to provide coating on the 2500 logistics vehicles being delivered under existing contracts.

The company’s military program manager Michael Busch said the Riverstone company provide coating and paint for 18 military manufactures across the globe.

“We have currently exported 250,000 litres of the most advanced military coating manufactured in Western Sydney,” Mr Busch said.

“Axalta are now partnering up again to provide coating for the combat reconnaissance project, introducing the BOXER vehicle in Australia.

“This new military industry provides incredible opportunities to Australian manufactures.”

The international defence company will establish a Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence as the global home of the BOXER combat reconnaissance vehicle, the LANCE turret and the LYNX Infantry Fighting Vehicle as part of its offer to the Land 400 program.

“Land 400 will deliver enhanced levels of survivability to the Joint Land Force including sensors, weapons and information systems which will be networked to strategic intelligence platforms,” project documents said.

”The program will deliver replacements for the Australian light armoured vehicle and M113 armoured personnel carrier fleets.

“The program will also provide specialist manoeuvre support vehicles to properly enable Army’s combat brigades to undertake joint land combat.”

Rheinmetall signed contracts to undertake an “exhaustive 12 month vehicle trial and evaluation program”.

“Two tenders for the CRV have been short-listed for further consideration, the Patria

AMV35 from BAE Systems Australia, and the Boxer CRV from Rheinmetall,” ADF documents said.

“The outcomes from these tests will be used by Defence to undertake a final evaluation of each tender’s proposal. Delivery of the 8x8 CRV will begin from 2020.”