Rheinmetall‘s Australian military vehicles unit has delivered 3,580 medium and heavy military logistics vehicles, marking the conclusion of the LAND 121 Phase 3B/5B procurement for the Australian Department of Defence.
Michael Wittlinger, Rheinmetall chief of staff and supervisory board chairman of Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia, emphasized that the HX truck-based vehicles delivered serve as the “logistical backbone” of the Australian Army, facilitating the transportation of troops, supplies and equipment across the country.
Sustainment Support Through Partnerships
With the completion of the program, which spanned over a decade, Rheinmetall will now transition to a role focused on supporting and sustaining the HX fleet through a national network of partners and suppliers.
Wittlinger highlighted his team’s commitment, noting that field service representatives “follow the members of the Australian Army with the HX trucks to all corners of Australia to ensure the reliability and serviceability of the vehicle fleet.”
“The HX truck is the workhorse of the Australian Army and provides the Australian Defence Force with outstanding capabilities,” the executive said. “The entire workforce of Rheinmetall Defence Australia and Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Australia is grateful to have successfully completed the project together with the Commonwealth of Australia.”
The HX trucks were manufactured by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles in Vienna, Austria. The final assembly took place at Rheinmetall Defence Australia in southeast Queensland, with further support from team members in Victoria.
Related Equipment Deliveries
In addition to the vehicles, Rheinmetall provided 3,165 modules and protected cabs as part of the LAND 121 Phase 3B/5B program. The Australian Automotive Research Centre in Victoria tested and verified these deliveries.
A military-off-the-shelf HX truck weighs 41,000 kilograms and is powered by a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine. Customers can select from various configurations, including options with an integrated automated load-handling system or other truck functions, such as tractor, tanker, container, or artillery system carrier.
Over 20,000 RMMV HX trucks are in service with various NATO members and allies, including New Zealand, Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Singapore and Canada.
In addition to the LAND 121 Phase 3B/5B program, Rheinmetall is also actively participating in the LAND 400 Phase 2 program, which aims to modernize the Australian Army’s armored fighting vehicle capability, with an expectation to manufacture 211 Boxer armored transport vehicles.