The German Bundeswehr has contracted with Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann to supply 131 Boxer armoured fighting vehicles. The order is worth €476 million.
On behalf of Germany’s Federal Agency of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-service Support, the international procurement agency Occar has placed an order with Artec GmbH – a joint venture of Rheinmetall and KMW – to supply an additional 131 Boxers configured for an armoured personnel carrier role. Delivery is slated to take place during the period 2017 to 2020.
Back in 2006, Artec booked an initial order for 272 Boxer vehicles for the Bundeswehr, the last of which will be transferred to the German military in March 2016. The contract encompassed command and control, medevac and driver training vehicles as well as APCs capable of transporting a complete infantry section/squad.
The Netherlands is also a partner in the cross-border Boxer programme, having ordered a total of 200 vehicles, including in this case a combat engineering configuration and an additional transport version.
Thanks to its composite add-on armour, the Boxer is one of the world’s best-protected 8×8 tactical vehicles. This wheeled armoured vehicle assures excellent protection from landmines, improvised explosive devices and ballistic fire, coupled with outstanding mobility both on and off road, even in the toughest terrain.
Powered by a 530 kW (720 HP) MTU turbo diesel engine, the Boxer – weighing up to 36.5 tonnes with a full combat load – attains a top speed of 103 km/h.
Featuring separate drive and mission modules, the Boxer design concept assures maximum flexibility and versatility. In the section/squad APC configuration, the Boxer serves as a ‘mother ship’ for up to ten troops. It is equipped with a remotely operated FLW 200 light weapon station featuring a 40mm automatic grenade launcher or 12.7mm heavy machine gun.
Operational experience in Afghanistan makes it clear that the Boxer significantly enhances battlefield sustainment and mobility of an infantry section or squad. The positive performance of the Boxer in deployed operations was a powerful factor in the German government’s decision to place the new order.
