Managing director of Rheinmetall Defence Australia welcomed the announcement, providing additional design and manufacturing deliverables to the company’s Australian industry network.

“This is a landmark for Rheinmetall and Australia with the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle test chassis to be manufactured at the state-of-the-art Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) at Redbank, Queensland and importantly, contributes to the federal government’s objectives as set out in the Australian Defence Export Strategy,” Stewart said.

“The Australian manufactured Lynx infantry fighting vehicle chassis is a test rig destined for Rheinmetall’s optionally manned fighting vehicle (OMFV) campaign to showcase advanced automotive capabilities in the Lynx platform.”

According to a release from the company, the delivery will support Rheinmetall’s global OMFV activities as well as the United States’ Department of Defense’s Bradley fighting vehicle replacement program.

“Lynx is a next-generation fighting vehicle with unmatched protection and lethality. Rheinmetall has developed a next generation electronic architecture to ensure onboard sensors, systems and effectors are able to be networked into Defence’s broader network architecture,” Stewart continued.

“The new test vehicle will demonstrate advanced features of mobility.”

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The company expects that the order will support Rheinmetall’s Australian industry capability partners with greater design and delivery opportunities.

“The AIC partners are the backbone of our Lynx manufacturing in Australia," Stewart said.

“We are proud to partner with organisations including:

Marand - Roof module,

Supashock - Running gear,

MILSPEC Bisalloy - Alternator, and steel and various mechanical and electrical fabrication partner content.”

[Related: Dutch procurement agency places order for Rheinmetall artillery munitions]