$60 million munitions plant planned for Queensland

The Queensland government has pledged $7.5 million to speed the development of a $60 million shell forging plant for Maryborough in the north of the state.

Rheinmetall Defence Business, which is already manufacturing the Boxer armoured reconnaissance vehicle in Queensland, is planning the plant to support local defence sales

The CEO of Rheinmetall Waffe Munitions (RWM), Werner Kraemer said the intended forging facility in Maryborough is an essential cornerstone to the company’s strategy in Australia.

“It also underpins RNM`s philosophy to create new qualified jobs in the domestic market.

“The Maryborough facility will further be a substantial contribution to Rheinmetall establishing a long-term sustainable supply chain for ammunition components serving different export markets.”

The facility will not have the capacity to ‘charge’ the shells it makes – making it safe for an urban location.

The state minister for manufacturing, Cameron Dick said: “Up to 100 new full-time jobs will be created when the plant is fully operational in 2022, and there will be additional shifts over the 20 years working life of the facility.

“The state-of-the-art facility will also support local small-to-medium-sized businesses that are part of the industry supply chain.”

Queensland also called on the federal government to provide $28.5 million in previously promised funding to the project.

Queensland’s funding comes form its $150 million Jobs and Regional Growth Fund.

Picture: Rheinmetall Boxer

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