(pressebox) (Duesseldorf, 2015-10-29) Rheinmetall has today announced a partnership with Melbourne-based defence systems integrator Tectonica Australia Pty Ltd for the development and manufacture of a sophisticated Local Situational Awareness System (LSAS) for the BOXER Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) in response to the Commonwealth of Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 2 Request For Tender.

Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director Andrew Fletcher said Rheinmetall would provide funding and support to Tectonica to develop and manufacture a next generation LSAS that enhances the situational awareness of the BOXER CRV.

The battle proven BOXER 8x8 provides a unique mix of survivability, mobility and lethality that allows the vehicle to operate effectively across the full spectrum of combat operations. If selected for LAND 400 the BOXER CRV will provide the Australian Army with a combat proven, low risk capability that can be rapidly transitioned into service and easily supported through life.

"Rheinmetall is delighted to partner with Tectonica, a proven leader in the Australian Defence industry that employs highly skilled engineers and manufacturing workers, invests significantly in research and development and exports its products globally," Mr Fletcher said.

Mr Fletcher said Tectonica was among 300 companies that met with Rheinmetall executives through June and July as part of its comprehensive supplier engagement activity in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin and Adelaide.

In the event BOXER is selected as Australia’s CRV under LAND 400 Phase 2, Tectonica will manufacture the LSAS and Rheinmetall will offer it for export through its global supply chain, ensuring ongoing local support for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) whilst securing Australian jobs.

"We are pleased to have this opportunity to provide a vital situational awareness capability to the ADF in partnership with a world leader in armoured vehicles," said Tectonica Managing Director David Levy.

The President of Rheinmetall’s Combat Platforms Business Unit, Ben Hudson, said the company was committed to the creation of an enduring Australian capability beyond the minimum LAND 400 Australian Industry Capability (AIC) requirements and the application of Australian technology for global requirements.

"Tectonica has provided an innovative proposal that will dramatically increase the situational awareness of the BOXER CRV crew and we see potential application not only to the BOXER CRV but also to our wider family of military vehicles in-service around the world," Mr Hudson said.

Tectonica Australia is a leading Defence and Law Enforcement systems integrator. Tectonica develops fully integrated systems for armoured vehicles, soldier and law enforcement officers. In partnership with local and international organisations, Tectonica offers a comprehensive range of Defence and Law Enforcement solutions in the areas of Protected Navigation, Portable Power, Crew Survivability and C4IEW. Tectonica is focused on providing Defence Departments, Defence Industry and Government Clients with cutting edge technology to meet the capability challenges of the future.

For more information, visit www.tectonica.net

About Rheinmetall AG: Rheinmetall and its Defence divisions - Combat Systems, Electronic Solutions and Wheeled Vehicles - set the global standard for excellence in a wide array of disciplines and offer an extensive array of military hardware that deliver mobility, lethality, survivability of troops, reconnaissance capability and networking of national and international systems. Please visit www.rheinmetall-defence.com and http://boxercrv.com.au for more information.