Page 42 - Australian Defence Magazine September 2019
P. 42

LAND FORCES
LAND 400
plus a number of Brisbane-based engineers making regular business trips.
The company has also been working with Queensland TAFE and other edu- cational institutions to provide training in production and trade skills that are not currently available. The skills learnt by successful candidates will subsequently be reinforced with on-the-job experience in Germany, another activity seen as an essential element of the overall technology transfer process.
As of September, RDA had engaged with more than 900 small to medium enterprises (SMEs) around Australia and NZ on the Land 400 program, building on contacts made in both countries during the Land 121 Phase 3B program.
“We are now working with many of these SMEs to ensure they have the capability to supply into a global program such as Land 400 Phase 2.... and meet rigorous standards to ensure the best quality vehicle to protect the Australian soldier,” a RDA statement noted.
The five-step engagement process en- compassed identification of the best pos- sible suppliers; confirming the master data for work packages; releasing Requests for Information and Quotation; conducting evaluations (including supplier visits and audits); and signing contracts.
SME engagement
RDA pointed to Wollongong-based Bis- alloy as a good example of a company that was moving through a two-year qualifica- tion process in Germany and Australia to supply Australian armour at grades of protection expected by the Common- wealth.
The Boxer went through an extensive Risk Mitigation Activity (RMA) before being selected for Land 400 Phase 2.
This process had begun before RDA was selected for Land 400 Phase 2, and a final de- termination on whether the company had achieved qualification would be made by the German government in 2020. A recent update to the Australian Stock Exchange had con- firmed the trials were going well, RDA said.
Many Australian SMEs were in fact already trusted suppliers within Rhein- metall’s global supply chain.
“Some already find their products on the first Boxer CRV vehicles, while our pro- curement teams are currently auditing and testing a range of products for the next wave of Australian companies to join the Land 400 program,” an RDA spokesperson said.
German agencies responsible for areas such as welding and standards around the delivery of welding services would be work- ing with Australian companies to train, support and assess qualifications in these and other areas of production and sustain- ment, it added.
Four initial contracts for localisation work on the first 25 Boxers were announced on 7 August by Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price and included Melbourne- based Cablex, which will supply vehicle systems and C4I cabling; and Sydney-based Eylex, which will supply crew communica- tions equipment.
Melbourne company Tectonica Austra-
Leading the way in the supply of military trailers and tankers
For more information contact your nearest Haulmark Office:
Brisbane
Ph (07) 3277 3666
Darwin
Ph (08) 8984 3533
Adelaide
Ph (08) 8283 8585
•Manufacturers of Specialised Road Transport Equipment
Quality ISO 9001
•Certified Quality Assurance to ISO 9001
42 | September 2019 | www.australiandefence.com.au
DEFENCE


































































































   40   41   42   43   44