Australian weapons deal with Germany set in motion
On the factory floor, inspecting parts for these vehicles of war soon to be sent across the world, we’ve just got you some more work, I heard Australias biggest ever defence export deal now in motion. This is a concrete example of Australia working with our partners. German military giant Ryan Metal is building 100 Boxer heavy weapon carrier vehicles at its Australian base in Ipswich, West of Brisbane. The $1 billion deal creating more than 600 local jobs. This is all about secure, well paid manufacturing jobs and for Germany it’s all about security. Germany urgently needs to re equip its military because of Russia’s threats to Europe. The danger of conflict spilling out of Ukraine sparking the agreement first inked when the Prime Minister visited Berlin last July. The armoured vehicles already in use by the Australian Army have a reputation for their lethal precision. Getting first rounds of pinpoint accuracy compared to the our previous platform is really impressive. The Queenslanders assembling them guaranteed a job until at least the end of the decade. The first boxer to be exported to Germany will be in 2026. And the contract will be complete by 2030. Industry incentives to fire up Australian manufacturing in sectors like defence resources and renewables will be a focus of the next federal budget, now just six weeks away. Eliza Edwards, 9 News.