The Wiesel is a poor choice for Afghanistan. It's a hit-and-run, airmobile protected vehicle that does not have the IED protection required, or the comfort for prolonged patrols - the somewhat larger Mk2 is still a very tight fit. With - still - a shortage of large helos, the Wiesel will probably be confined to short patrols, might be wiser to bring extra Boxers (if available) Marders or even Luchs.

Although the Boxer was designed pre-IED era, it offers much better protection and endurance and digital (BMS) connectivity. As one of the newest generation APCs, it will be interesting to see how it holds up.

Why the talk about Afghanistan? Have you misread "Australia"?
These are just common hot climate trials the vehicles have to undergo before they are cleared for introduction into service.

ALL German equipment introduced in the last decades has undergone hot/cold climate trials before being cleared for introduction. That's part of the acceptance process now that German equipment is likely to be deployed outside the Central Europe theater of the Cold War. There is no immediate relation to the ISAF/Afghanistan deployment. That there are cold weather trials in Norway doesn't mean Germany is going to invade the Arctic either ;)

Both Boxer and Wiesel Mk2 are also in the running (not yet confirmed, but still) for being included in the Bundeswehr reinforcements/replacements earmarked for ISAF, hence my Afghanistan comment.

Cheers.