The Boxer multi-role vehicle was one of the dominant AFV platforms presented at the British Army’s 2024 Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD2024) show, held at UTAC Millbrook in Bedfordshire on 18 and 19 September.
In the event’s presentation programme the Boxer was the only project to take up more than two hours, in which the programme-leading procurement organisation OCCAR, the logistically active NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and representatives of the British procurement organisation presented the current status of the programme and future prospects.
A sizeable presence
The Boxer was represented at least seven times in the static exhibition. Of the four build configurations ordered for the British Army, the Infantry Carrier Vehicle, the Command and Control Vehicle and the Specialist Carrier Vehicle were on display, with just the Ambulance version missing. On the industrial side KNDS Germany presented the Boxer RCH 155, which features an Artillery Gun Module, and, together with British subsidiary WFEL, presented the bridge-laying Boxer variant with 22 m and 14 m bridges. Rheinmetall and Patria also presented the Nemo turreted 120 mm mortar system on a Boxer: a proposal for the British Army’s indirect-fire requirements. Rheinmetall also presented the Skyranger 35 air defence system on a Boxer as a proposal for UK mobile air defence requirements. This system was simultaneously demonstrated at the Rheinmetall Skyranger Demonstration Days in Switzerland, albeit on a Leopard 1 carrier vehicle, in a live-fire demonstration.
The British MIV programme
Under the British Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) programme the UK initially ordered 523 Boxers via OCCAR in 2019 and later a further 100 Boxers from ARTEC: the joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS. At GBP 3.4 billion (EUR 4.1 billion), it is currently the British Army’s most significant procurement programme. Following initial production at ARTEC in Germany, the bulk of the combat vehicles will be manufactured by RBSL, the joint venture between Rheinmetall and BAE System Land Systems, as well as WFEL. The foundations for this have been laid: the first UK-produced series production vehicle is expected in the next few months and will be the eighth series production vehicle in the army’s inventory after the seven supplied by ARTEC.
So far, four prototypes have been delivered. The fifth and final one, in the Ambulance Vehicle configuration, is due to follow this year. Testing of the vehicles began at the start of 2024. Independently of this, training of troop contingents will begin at the start of 2025. The aim is to achieve initial operating capability with the vehicle before the end of 2025.
The British Army also intends to procure further Boxer variants. Last year the procurement of bridge-laying and recovery vehicles had already been unofficially announced, although no contracts have been signed to date. In May 2024 the UK and German ministries of defence agreed to co-operate on the procurement of Boxer RCH 155s. The joint requirement is in the low three-digit range, but as yet here is no timetable for this acquisition.
Boxer’s success
Since the first vehicles were delivered in 2011, the Boxer multi-role armoured vehicle has developed into a successful AFV programme, with more than 1,700 units ordered and in use in four countries. With the UK and Ukraine, the number of user countries will soon rise to six. There is further demand in all countries, which is currently neither qualitatively nor quantitatively specified.
