German manufacturer Rheinmetall won a Aus$5.2 (US$4.1 billion) contract Wednesday to supply Australia with new armoured combat vehicles as Canberra boosts its defence capabilities.

The deal will see Rheinmetall supply 211 of its Boxer CRV vehicles built with Australian steel by Australian workers, defeating a rival bid from BAE Systems.

"The vehicles will provide improved safety to Australian soldiers on deployment and on exercises around the world," said Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

"They will boost mobility and firepower on the battlefield in the decades ahead."

The wheeled machines, which have a 30-year life, will replace the Army's current ageing Light Armoured Vehicle fleet and undertake a range of missions, from peacekeeping to "high-threat operations".

The CRVs, which can withstand direct bomb attacks and heavy machine gun fire, and are part of a Aus$200 billion government investment in strengthening its defence force over the next decade.

In 2016, French naval contractor DCNS was selected to design and build 12 new state-of-the-art submarines, beating off competition from Germany and Japan.

Australia's current ANZAC and Adelaide class frigates will also be replaced, with Britain's BAE Systems, Italy's Fincantieri, and Spain's Navantia in the running for that deal.

Kongsberg signs long-term vehicle technology deal in Qatar
Washington (UPI) Mar 13, 2018 -International technology company Kongsberg signed a long-term technology development program deal with Barzan Holdings for work in Qatar.

Kongsberg CEO Geir Haoy and Hamad Al Hajri, Program Director Barzan Holdings, signed the agreement in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday. The contract is potentially valued at more than $194.1 billion over an eight year period.

The contract will seek to develop new technologies for "communication, digitalization and tower solutions for military vehicles."

The technology development program is one of the largest undertakings in Kongsberg's history, the company said.

"We see considerable opportunities and potential for Norwegian industry and technology development with this establishment," Geir Haoy, President and CEO of Kongsberg, said in a press release.

Moreover, Barzan Holdings announced that, in partnership with Kongsberg, the two organizations have tapped Nexter, a French-owned company, to "deliver tower solutions, digitalization and communication solutions to 490 armoured vehicles," over the next eight years.

Kongsberg will deliver "PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station" and "Medium Caliber Turret" products.

KONGSBERG is to deliver the solutions "PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station" and "Medium Caliber Turret" to the programme, both tower solutions developed for increased protection of personnel.

"Today we are the world-leading supplier of these systems and we are pleased that the Qatari authorities have chosen our solutions, technology and competence," Haoy said.

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