Project LAND 400 Phase 2

Project LAND 400 Phase 2
Name	Project LAND 400 Phase 2
Country	Australia
Type	Infantry fighting vehicle acquisition
Status	Completed (selection and contracting)
Contractor	Rheinmetall Defence Australia
Vehicles	211 Boxer combat reconnaissance variants
Period	2015–2021

Project LAND 400 Phase 2 Project LAND 400 Phase 2 was an Australian Defence Force acquisition to replace tracked reconnaissance and fire support vehicles with new wheeled combat reconnaissance vehicles, aimed to deliver modernisation for the Australian Army alongside other programs such as LAND 121, LAND 400 Phase 3 and LAND 8710. The program engaged international firms including Rheinmetall, Patria, General Dynamics and Hanwha, interfacing with institutions like the Australian Department of Defence, Defence Materiel Organisation and the Australian Parliament for budgeting, legislative approval and industrial participation.

Background and Objectives

The initiative originated under the Australian Defence White Paper and Strategic Defence Review frameworks that referenced force structure changes aligned with alliances such as the ANZUS Treaty, interoperability standards from NATO and equipment doctrine influenced by campaigns like the Iraq War and the Afghanistan Campaign. Objectives included replacing the ageing ASLAV fleet and improving situational awareness, survivability and mobility in littoral and expeditionary operations consistent with guidance from the Australian Army Headquarters, Land Warfare Development Centre and Chief of Army.

Procurement Process and Timeline

The competitive tender began after a request for tender process administered by the Defence Materiel Organisation and later overseen by Defence Industry Policy Branch, with key milestones tracked by Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. The schedule featured initial market analysis, an Industry Briefing, Evaluation Phase with user trials at Puckapunyal and Shoalwater Bay Training Area, and culminated in Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group contract negotiations under the Department of Defence budgeting cycles and Procurement Governance Framework.

Contenders and Vehicle Options

Contenders included the German Rheinmetall Boxer, Finnish Patria AMV, US General Dynamics LAV 6.0 family, South Korean Hanwha Redback (based on K21), and offerings from Iveco, BAE Systems and Renault Trucks. Each proposal linked to corporate portfolios such as Rheinmetall Landsysteme, Patria Vehicles, General Dynamics Land Systems, Hanwha Defense, BAE Systems Land UK and Iveco Defence Vehicles and drew on precedent platforms used in operations by the Bundeswehr, Finnish Defence Forces, Canadian Army and US Marine Corps.

Selection and Contract Award

After evaluation of criteria such as protection, mobility, lethality and through-life support, the Australian Government selected Rheinmetall’s Boxer CRV variant in a contract awarded to Rheinmetall Defence Australia, with public statements by the Minister for Defence, Minister for Defence Industry and procurement officials. The decision followed assessments by external advisers and parliamentary oversight bodies, and resulted in industrial arrangements with companies such as Thales Australia, Elbit Systems and local manufacturing partners for in-country assembly and support.

Deployment, Production and Modifications

Production planning involved assembly and Test and Evaluation Activity at facilities in Queensland and manufacturing partnerships in Victoria, aligning with Australian Industry Capability requirements and regional supply chains including SMEs. Deployment plans scheduled in-service dates coordinated with the Land Mobility Fleet Plan and integration activities at Brisbane, Townsville and Darwin units, with vehicle modifications added for the Australian environment, incorporating systems from suppliers like EOS, Rafael, MBDA and Leonardo for sensors, communications and weapons integration.

Capabilities and Technical Specifications

The selected Boxer CRV incorporates modular mission modules derived from designs used by the German Army and NATO partners, featuring an unmanned turret, Rheinmetall Lance or Kongsberg-provided fire control elements, advanced armour packages and mine-blast protection consistent with STANAG standards. Key specifications include 8x8 wheeled mobility, a diesel powerpack interoperable with logistic chains used by allied forces, an automated weapon station with medium calibre cannon, networked battle management systems compatible with C4ISR architectures and growth margin for electronic warfare and active protection systems.

Controversies, Cost and Political Impact

The program generated debate in Australian political fora, with scrutiny from opposition parties, Senate Estimates committees and media outlets over cost escalation, local industrial content and capability trade-offs compared with tracked alternatives like the Defence Minister’s deliberations and recommendations from independent auditors. Internationally, the selection affected export and cooperation discussions with partner nations and companies, and prompted analysis by defence think tanks, industry associations and peak councils regarding sovereign capability, offset agreements and long-term sustainment costs.

Category:Australian defence procurement Category:Military vehicles of Australia Category:Armoured fighting vehicles