Bisalloy Steels is pleased to announce the receipt of a significant order from Rheinmetall for highly specialised Australian Made BISALLOY® Armour steel.
The steel, developed by Bisalloy to meet the protection levels required for the BOXER 8×8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) and tested and certified by the German Government and the BAAINBw (German Government testing authority) in collaboration with Rheinmetall Defence Australia, will be used for Rheinmetall’s Australian-built BOXER 8×8 CRV in the LAND400 Phase 2 program.
This first purchase order marks Bisalloy’s firm presence in the German defence prime contractor’s global supply chain, and follows the successful completion of an extensive testing and evaluation program.
Bisalloy and Rheinmetall began collaborating in 2017 and since that time have strengthened their relationship through a teaming agreement that enabled the two companies to collaborate on R&D, reciprocal technical visits, various plant and production tours, technical discussions, and the sharing of information.
Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director Gary Stewart said “I am impressed by Bisalloy Steels’ people, capability and their outstanding product. I am grateful for Bisalloy’s hard work to achieve this significant outcome”.
Glenn Cooper, Bisalloy CEO and Managing Director, said: “This is an important milestone for Bisalloy as a supplier to Rheinmetall, and as a supplier to the LAND400 Phase 2 program.
Rheinmetall is an important and strategic customer for Bisalloy, and the engagement between our two companies over the past years is a testament to the commitment our company has to these important defence programs and demonstrates our commitment to building sovereign capabilities within Australia.
Congratulations to the Bisalloy team who have worked for so long behind the scenes to get to this point, and we look forward to working with Rheinmetall for many years to come.”
Bisalloy’s Business Manager – Armour and Protection, Justin Suwart, said: “I remember the day we started on this collaboration, over 4 years ago, and while there have been many challenges during this time, Bisalloy has remained committed to supporting the LAND400 Phase 2 program and working with Rheinmetall to support the ADF.
As a regionally based Australian manufacturer, and as an SME, Bisalloy has used the LAND 400 Phase 2 program as an opportunity to showcase our capabilities, and to grow as a company. Rheinmetall is a globally respected name in the defence industry, manufacturing some of the most cutting-edge defence technology, so achieving TL certification last year enabling Bisalloy to supply to Rheinmetall was a significant achievement alone. This purchase order represents another significant accomplishment and is in-line with Bisalloy’s strategy to significantly expand our defence business.”
Listed on the ASX and operating for 40 years, Bisalloy is Australia’s only manufacturer of high strength and high hardness quenched and tempered steel plate used for armour, structural, protection and wear-resistant steel applications.
As Australia’s only manufacturer of armour and protection grade steels, Bisalloy has a long history of collaboration with the Australian Defence Force. Originally developed in the 1980s for use in the hulls of the Royal Australian Navy’s Frigates, BISALLOY® Armour steel has since been used in many domestic defence projects, including the Collins Class Submarine, Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles, Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle (Light) to name just a few.
BISALLOY® Armour steel has a global reputation as a high-quality material and has become the product of choice for defence applications in international markets, being specified for projects in North America, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, South Korea, Israel, Slovenia, Indonesia, and many more.
Image: Australian Department of Defence